D2MG@SDSUMUS (Kurt Evans) (01/17/90)
With this post, I will try to draw a distinction between Christian
prophecy as described in the Bible and the spiritistic channeling common
to various kinds of Eastern mysticism.
In Christian prophecy only the infinite-personal God of Isreal
speaks through the human instrument. A Christian prophet does not work
himself/herself into a trance to "channel" God's words, as channels
typically do for their "entities." It is always God who takes the
initiative, bringing His word to man, even in the cases when a trance
is involved (as when one sees a vision). This is as opposed to
channeling, where the personality of the channel moves aside so that
another personality can communicate.
These are quotes from the book *Have You Received the Holy Spirit
Since You Believed?* (Copyright 1977 by Loyd Singley):
One brother was very hesitant about speaking the words given him
by the Spirit. In talking to him he said, "I thought I would be in a
trance when I spoke in tongues." At least ninety-nine percent of all
the people I've talked to about their experience said they knew what
was going on around them while they were speaking in tongues. They
were fully aware of what they were doing.
...(Others) will not speak the words the Spirit gives, fearing "it
will just be me doing the speaking." Who else would it be?
(END OF QUOTES)
In manifesting the "sign" gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are merely
prompted to speak; whereas the spiritistic counterfeits involve a state
of voluntary possession. A sincere Christian has no reason to fear
these counterfeits.
For Jesus' glory,
Kurt