Prophets and Continuing Revelation: A Christian Perspective
> The role of prophets and the concept of continuing revelation are subjects of significant theological divergence between Mormons and evangelical Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) upholds an ongoing line of prophets and continuous revelation as central to its faith, while evangelical Christianity generally does not.
This article aims to provide a biblical response to a Mormon inquiry about the beliefs of evangelical Christians concerning prophets and continuing revelation.
The Evangelical Christian View of Prophets and Revelation:
- Prophets in Biblical Context:
In the Bible, prophets are individuals chosen by God to communicate His messages to the people. They played a crucial role in both the Old and New Testaments, providing guidance, warning of judgment, and revealing God’s will. Evangelical Christians believe that the biblical canon, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, contains the complete and final revelation of God’s will for humanity.- The Closing of the Canon:
Evangelical Christians affirm that with the completion of the New Testament writings and the death of the last apostle, the canon of Scripture was closed. The book of Revelation is often cited as a warning not to add to or take away from the words of the Bible, proclaiming the finality of the biblical revelation. As the apostle John penned the final words of the last book of the New Testament, he recorded this warning: “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). Then, the Holy Spirit added a doxology and closed the canon.- The Sufficiency of Scripture:
A key tenet of evangelical belief is the sufficiency of Scripture, as articulated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Evangelicals hold that the Bible contains all that is necessary for faith and practice, negating the need for further authoritative revelations.- The Role of the Holy Spirit:
While evangelicals do not believe in ongoing authoritative revelation akin to Scripture, they do affirm the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding, teaching, and illuminating the truths of the Bible for believers. John 16:13 speaks of the Spirit guiding into all truth, which evangelicals understand as the Spirit’s work in helping believers understand and apply the truths of God’s already revealed word.
The LDS Perspective on Prophets and Continuing Revelation:
- Open Canon:
Mormons believe in an open canon, where additional scriptures complement the Bible, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. They hold that God continues to reveal His will to living prophets and apostles, who provide guidance to the church. - Ongoing Line of Prophets:
The LDS Church teaches that there has been an unbroken line of prophets since Joseph Smith, whom they consider the first prophet of the modern era. These prophets are seen as God’s mouthpieces on earth, receiving direct revelation for the direction of the church and the world.
Engaging in Dialogue:
When discussing the belief in prophets and continuing revelation with Mormon friends, evangelical Christians can respectfully explain their adherence to the closed canon of Scripture and the sufficiency of the Bible for knowing God’s will. They can share their conviction that while God continues to work in the world and in the lives of believers, He does so through the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the truths already revealed in Scripture.
Christians can also explore areas of common ground, such as the belief in the importance of spiritual guidance and the work of the Holy Spirit, while clarifying the differences in how they view the authority and role of prophets and revelation today.
Conclusion:
Evangelical Christians believe that the Bible represents the complete and final revelation of God’s will for humanity and that the role of prophets, as those who deliver new authoritative divine revelation, concluded with the closing of the biblical canon. The Holy Spirit continues to guide believers in understanding and applying the truths of Scripture. In contrast, Mormons believe in an open canon and an ongoing line of prophets who provide continuing revelation. In dialogue, Christians can articulate their convictions about the sufficiency of Scripture and the finality of biblical revelation, while also engaging respectfully with the LDS perspective on prophets and continuing revelation.
