Emphasis Preaching Journal

A summer seminary course was recently advertised as "Readings in the Old Testament for Fun and Prophet." The title invites a second look since the language seems to constitute not only a play on words but a contradiction of sense as well.

The word prophet has powerful connotations in almost all societies. In some places it signifies someone who foretells the future. Others call an individual prophet if he speaks astutely about possible outcomes of current situations. Those who speak only about bad situations with some insight are called prophets of doom.