prophetic, just or self-absorbed?

I have been part of so many different "conversations" in the last few weeks. In the evangelical part of the emerging church folks there is a "dialogue" going on between Brian McLaren and D.A. Carson (who I never heard of before). Below are some more links for this dialogue.** In mainline church circles there is "dialogue" around what is prophetic and socially just and institutional self-absorption and institutional survival. Here is some of my reflections on the latter:

These are some comments that are part of a listserv I am part of.  It struck
me that this goes right at the heart of what the present day, institutional
UCC thinks of itself. - David Loar

"... there is a link between the prophetic voice and the right time. "Voice"
and "Kairos" go together. At the right time, God raises up a voice. So it is
hard to compare one prophetic voice from one context to another in a
different time and context. God does what God needs to do to get his will
known ..."

I think we have spoken too many times on too much and not paid attention to
this matter above.  Thus, no one is listening!  We have taken "prophetic" and
run it into the ground. DL

1st person writes:"    Five years ago, I sat in on a meeting of the General
Assembly's (PCUSA) Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy. These 12
souls were charged with monitoring and even suggesting new policy positions
to the General Assembly. During the staff meeting, an item of business came
up concerning something coming before the UN. Clearly the group did not agree
with the stated policies of General Assembly on the issue. On of the staff
said, "You know. Sometimes we are called to take a prophetic stand for
truth." There were nodding heads all around the table and the voted act in
contraction to direct and clear policy established by the General Assembly.

  What is the difference between prophetic and insubordination?"

2nd person replies: "Classic prophets do not operate within the hierarchy or
institution, but clear outside of it. John the Baptist was clearly outside
the Herodian court, Eliaha outside the Ahab court, Jesus outside the
Pharisaic institutional machinery. When staff behave this way, it is simply
power struggle, not prophecy. If they were serious about being prophets, they
would first resign their staff positions in protest, and then publicize their
dissent. As it stands, staff that function this way clearly want to have
their cake (salary & pension plan) and eat it too, and that lacks integrity."
end of comment

I remember Walt Brueggemann saying some years ago that he wished there were
more folks coming out of seminary who could preach the prophets than trying
to be "prophetic."  Too often cloaking one's self as "prophet" is covering
over the self-centered ways people use to try to control the behavior of
others (codependence).  Thus, "we need to raise their consciousness" (because
they are too stupid to figure it out on their own - which is implied) becomes
disrespectful and a contradiction to the values that the "prophets" claim
they are espousing.

The results of what is happening financially in the UCC would be acknowledged
by the true prophet as part of the territory when one seeks to speak for God
in calling the body of Christ back to a righteous and just relationship with
God.  It seems to go with the territory for the Biblical prophets.  Ask
Jeremiah and Jesus. 

http://vanguardchurch.blogspot.com/ Bob Robinson
http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2005/06/are_we_a_moveme.html Tall Skinny Kiwi