I’ve recently began to read Wayne Grudem’s The Gift of Prophesy and so far I have found it an excellent explanation of the gift of Prophesy. The book, so far, explores prophets in the O.T, Apostles and Revelation and the gift of Prophesy within the N.T churches.

This book is a must for charismatics and non charismatics alike. It is a number of years old now however it still speaks powerfully into today’s church context. Churches with an emphasis on the ‘prophetic’ could benefit greatly from this book as could churches who emphasise ’sola scriptura’ but who deny the existence of the gift of prophesy today. For those who deny the gift of prophesy Grudem demonstrates scripturally the place of prophesy within the church today. For those who emphasise prophesy almost to the detriment of the canon of scripture, Grudem brings a healthy corrective. In other words, charismatics need to learn to differentiate between ‘prophesy’ (Something God brings to mind but communicated in human words and therefore not without flaw) and God’s Word (God’s very own words revealed through scripture which are of course without flaw or error. Confusing the two leads to serious confusion and harm within the body of Christ.

The teaching of the Old and New testamants should have a far greater place in our churches than the gift of prophesy- but the gift of prophesy should not be despised since God has given it to the church for edification.