I had not announced it yet (it came about a week or so ago), but I was asked to be on the Jim Bakker show and speak Wed night at his campus (Morningside) service. Last night it came to my attention that my appearance was being billed as “come to hear the prophets” (my name on the promotion). I informed everyone involved in the event that I was canceling my trip in response to that promotion. I am not a prophet, and I won’t allow my name to be used in such a way. I know others parse the language differently, but to my ear it denotes being above other believers. I want nothing to do with that thinking. I’m not above anyone and have no special status in what God is doing.
This whole thing makes me sad. I had planned to marry my “While We Were Yet Sinners” sermon to something about real (not contrived) spiritual warfare (how the NT links the resurrection with the defeat of the cosmic powers). I thought it would be useful to the specific audience, but now it won’t be happening.
If you see something online promoting me as being some sort of prophet, please send them a link to this post. I’d appreciate it.
I would be most interested to see the final version of what you intended to preach. It’s sad that Christian charismatic culture has stolen ‘prophet’ from our vocabulary by exalting it. In the NT, it was no more troubling or grandiose to be called a prophet than it was a preacher, teacher or evangelist.
That’s sad. I appreciate your integrity Mike. You’ve been a big blessing to our local church.
well done for standing on the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Much respect for your humble nature and humility in serving.
Thank you.
could you just go as a non-prophet? ?
I am saddened to hear this, because since Michael Heiser has described himself as the “worst cult leader in the world”, me and some Middle Earth friends decided to make him happy and found the Cult of Michael Heiser. Our earnings model will be to seek out widows, and pressure them to give us their last mites. Worship services will include a miniature Mount Hermon, which we proceed to reverse every fifteen minutes. We will also have a book club where we will discuss such ideas as that Gandalf the Gray has been framed.
Actually, this is consistent with me being a terrible cult leader — missed an opportunity to get all sorts of attention. I’m just not good at that cult leader stuff.
Mike thanks for this – Will you at some time post the message you would have given at the Jim Baker meeting? It is such an important issue
Well said Mike. Ever since I came in contact with your writings and met you in person at the book promotion in Ohio a while ago, I have had nothing but high respect and praise for you and what you are trying to do in your journey. I pray that our Lord will continue to be with you and your family in your walk with Him. I thank God for you a man that could have stayed in the Ivory (scholar) tower but chose to rub elbows with us common folks. Thanks, Moe
sorry to hear about this turn of events; bummer and weighty for you. could be a bad time, but hopefully there’s never an time labelled off-limits for exegesis:
do you still think that the Holy Spirit is giving some to be prophets in the church (ephesians 4.11)?
I’m confused Mike… This takes the focus off of you and puts it on Christ. That is simply not the way it’s done here in Babylon. You need an image consultant to force you to choose between an Armani suit or a fohawk and skinny jeans as the focus becomes more about you and less about the material. That’s how ministries are built. Meekness, humility, wisdom, and integrity are out. Self exultation and celebrity status are in. It’s almost as if you wish to become less that Christ might become more.
Probably meant “come to help Dr. Heiser’s book profits”, but messed up the wording.
Incredible book by the way (Unseen Realm). I’m on chapter 43 on the audiobook version, and listening to it during my bicycle rides every day. You are making the Bible really exciting for me once again. I feel like a baby Christian again after 50+ years.
I feel so lucky to have found your book – I was driving across northern Louisiana a few weeks ago and heard your interview on a small, local AM radio station that I had never tuned into before. You said something like, “why do pastors tend to skip over the mention of the nephilim in Genesis?” It was a question I had had for many years, and I knew right away I had to get the book.
I’m close to Morningside and agree with you. Shame I won’t be able to see you. I was looking forward to it. Your message and input is sorely needed here. NAR is in ascendancy at Morningside.
Absolutely will do, and good for you on that decision.
NOTHING about the office, ministry or very word “prophet” implies that someone with that title is above anyone else. Is that how you see prophets in the Bible? Or is it only the modern usage of the term that you object to?
No, it’s how millions in charismania understand the term “prophet”.
🙁
Well…can we get that message on the podcast? Sounds fascinating.and like something we all need to hear.
You have my respect Dr.Heisner….for what it s worth….;)
You may not call yourself a prophet, but indeed you have blessed many of those who wade around in the Fringe who are in need of a Gandalf! We love you, brother.
Mike, Maybe you should have gone anyway. You may not be a prophet, but you speak the truth. These people need the truth.
It is sad, but good for you.
I think the title of prophet was well intended or meant to flatter, but we cant use the word prophet loosely. Unfortunately, people dont realize that God is faithful to anyone who applies themselves to God’s word and waits upon Him, and we can’t just attribute good scholarship to the prophetic because that can excuse people from studying their Bible on the basis that they’re not a prophet or a mystic. Yes, God appoints revelation to certain people and John the Baptist said no one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven, but it’s not in a vacuum. People do apply themselves and God is faithful. The Bible is for everyone.
Dr. Heiser, I so appreciate you standing up against this. Although, we need to go where the sinners are………..sometimes. 🙂 But I digress. They reach too far and too often with the prophecy thing. Love your work.
I appreciate the stand you took. Keep up the good work!
潜心学习，认真拜读！
Bless you Michael. I would convey the same sentiments. It appears they are using you / your reputation to promote their tv program. After all, who doesn’t want to hear from a prophet? You certainly have the right attitude Michael. God can easily promote us.
Ps 75:6,7
“No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.
But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.”
Staying on the right side of humility is for our protection from pride and ultimately deception. Bless you
Kit
冬天虽已来临，祝您四季如春！
You’ve probably heard it before, but even being willing to appear on Bakker’s show in the first place–or having anything to do with his “ministry”–is not something most serious theologians would consider. And I certainly do take you seriously, Dr. Heiser. You are the best thing to happen to my christian life in decades, and just knowing that you’re willing to take Jim Bakker’s calls is unsettling. In my estimation, he’s your polar opposite in just about all ways.
Look up “televangelist” in the dictionary (and all the negative things that term has come to imply), and Bakker’s picture is there. He is the very embodiment of “false teacher” in my book. I believe in forgiveness and second chances, of course, but he doesn’t seem to have changed course since his days with Tammy Faye.
Please reconsider any further dealing with him or his show. I’ve recommended you and your videos to others, and will continue to do so because I feel they open up whole new avenues of study that most churches–even good ones–are woefully lacking. But to know you’ve appeared on Bakker’s program requires me to first warn others not to assume you’re in any way on his wavelength.
Thing is, the folks who think like that tend to use the word “prophet” to describe just about anyone who has something new to say; new that is, to them. It is not necessarily a term, in their circles, which denotes hierarchy.
Further, it is not necessarily an evil thing to submit to someone, on a limited basis, who has something new to say. It is necessary however, to think like a Berean (Acts 17:10-11) in those cases.
I submitted myself to you (per Eph. 5:17-21) when I read The Unseen Realm, for the purpose of learning what you had to say. Once I learned it, I withdrew that submission, although I do refer others to you as an “authority” in your realm of expertise.
Perhaps you might reconsider your decision, and go ahead and speak to the people, who will benefit greatly from what you have to say.
Blessings…
–j9
What a wasted opportunity! You had the chance to be on the Jim Bakker show (where you could have easily explained to all his followers why you are definitely not a prophet) but refused simply because you were accidentally mislabeled? Everyone who reads your blogs knows you are no better than any other believer. Those who don’t (especially many of Jim Bakker’s listeners) may not realize that, and you threw away the perfect opportunity to educate them on what a true prophet is!
I could have done that — but it likely would have been edited out. I really couldn’t win. And this had “Mike’s opportunity to be ignored or misunderstood — and for people to think he thinks he’s special” written all over it.