Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. - Romans 16:17-18 (KJV)
Who or What Is a False Prophet? -- Charisma News
As the dust has settled over Charismania in the wake of nearly every false prophet being exposed in this past election, we see those who are gatekeepers still trying to hold the line. Dr. Michael Brown is one of the primary gatekeepers of both the NAR and false teaching/prophesy network that is the money spigot that makes Charismania the billion-dollar industrial complex it is today. Once people realized Trump lost, the scrambling began to minimize the damage. How do you explain that every single prophet you claimed to believe in got it wrong? You pretend that because they believed they were sincere at the time they lied on behalf of God that it doesn't matter that they lied on behalf of God. I kid you not. The link above is to Dr. Brown's latest defense, trying to recast what a false prophet is and is not. Let us reason once more together.
"As I have been addressing the failed Trump prophecies, some Christian leaders have challenged me, saying I am not going far enough. Instead, they believe, to be scripturally accurate, I must brand anyone who prophesies falsely a "false prophet." To quote the words of one pastoral couple who graciously challenged me, "We would respectfully ask that Dr. Brown repent of his defense of these false prophets and false teachers, adding fanciful ideas to the Word of God in the process--and publicly call for the removal of the false prophets from their pulpits, the same as we would expect him to do if these popular teachers were engaged in adultery, sexual immorality or other grievous sin. False teachers are said to be 'deceived and being deceived' at the same time (2 Tim. 3:13)." But that's the thing. I have not defended those who prophesied falsely. I have called for accountability, and I have done so in very clear, strong terms. That being said, the error of those who inadvertently prophesied falsely is not equivalent to "adultery, sexual immorality or other grievous sin," as I'll explain." - Dr. Michael Brown
Dr. Brown, you know that is simply untrue. I can think of plenty of example of your defense of false prophets and prophecies long before Donald Trump. I recall you had the false prophetess Jennifer LeClaire on your show and instead of rebuking her for her absurd sneaky squid spirit prophecy, you allowed her to lie with impunity about it while you gave her and her nonsense credibility. I also recall that you defended Benny Hinn, a proven false prophet and teacher, as a "brother in the Lord." These are only two examples as there were many more ranging from Bill Johnson to Joseph Prince. The reason why many are asking you to denounce all who prophesy falsely as false prophets is because that is what the bible commands you to do.
"As for my so-called "fanciful ideas," apparently this couple is referring to my belief that there is a difference between a true Christian prophesying falsely (or, a true Christian falsely claiming to be a prophet) and a "false prophet." I base this on the words of Jesus, who said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit" (Matt. 7:15-18, NIV). These people are not sincere believers who mistakenly claim inspiration for their words. They are deceivers and liars, bad trees bearing bad fruit. - Dr. Michael Brown
Your notions are not only fanciful but they are heretical. Here is today's deep theology. You cannot be a saved, blood bought believer in Jesus Christ and then proceed to lie about hearing from Him. Here is the fundamental error that Brown and Charismania constantly live under. They believe there is a difference between someone's intent, and the eventual outcome. So to them, you can be wrong about hearing from the creator of the universe as long as you were somehow sincere within the depths of your wickedly deceitful heart. That is absolute nonsense. This is the entire point Jesus is making in the very verses Brown cites! A good tree (someone who is saved) cannot produce bad fruit (a false prophecy). Notice how Brown tries to minimize what is happening. The false prophets that prophesied a Trump victory all claimed that God told them so! That is what makes it a prophecy. They are not merely "claiming inspiration for their words." It is so sad that Brown always gets so close to the truth but he simply cannot see it. Yes, these people are deceivers Dr. Brown! How many people took these false words to heart and to this day are still deceived! Your gaggle of false prophets are in fact bad trees bearing bad fruit.
"Jesus also described them as deceivers, even miracles workers, who would lead people astray, putting them in the same class as false messiahs (see Matt. 24:11, 24). This is in keeping with the character of false prophets in the Old Testament. They either led Israel into idolatry, prophesying in the name of false gods. Or they led Israel into sin and disobedience, prophesying falsely in the name of the true God. As the Lord said through Jeremiah, "Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah" (Jer. 23:13-15). False prophets are sinful people, not godly people who make a mistake." - Dr. Michael Brown
