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Question 34 (ABM) - The Cloud over Flagstaff: Difference between revisions
Question 34 (ABM) - The Cloud over Flagstaff (view source)
Revision as of 03:26, 15 February 2019
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'''ABM:''' I agree that exaggerations are a form a dishonesty, and that deception and exaggeration are inappropriate traits for a minister of God to have. I think we essentially agree on that point. Where our difference lies is in determining if that character flaw in Bro. Branham was severe enough to warrant us to dismiss his entire ministry and reject (in this instance) his sermons on the seven seals. I come back to the same scriptural rationale I have presented previously. Prophets of the old testament lied, exaggerated, and changed their stories after giving the them the first time. Specifically all three biblical prophets of the Elijah anointing did just those very things. So what I have to ask myself is this: is Bro. Branham's mistakes in these areas any greater than the mistakes of those other men of the Elijah anointing? I ultimately conclude no, because John the Baptist actually got close to denying Christ in his change of story. None of Bro. Branham's exaggerations seem to have any doctrinal impact. For me, the majority of Bro. Branham's exaggerations are minor in nature, not impactful or related to doctrine or church teachings, and easily overlooked and excused (not as though they were ok, but just accepted as the flaw of a man). This particular exaggeration concerning the cloud, as I have said is the most unfortunate. However, not being related directly to scriptural interpretation, it again does not provide us with scriptural grounds to reject his entire ministry. It provides us only with grounds to question this particular event.You state 1 Cor 4:2, which is an excellent goal and standard. However, Paul also states in Rom 11:29 "the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance" (or irrevocable in other translations), meaning that the gift and calling can still be authentic despite the personal failings of the gift bearer or called individual. A prophet is still a prophet, despite his personal failings. | '''ABM:''' I agree that exaggerations are a form a dishonesty, and that deception and exaggeration are inappropriate traits for a minister of God to have. I think we essentially agree on that point. Where our difference lies is in determining if that character flaw in Bro. Branham was severe enough to warrant us to dismiss his entire ministry and reject (in this instance) his sermons on the seven seals. I come back to the same scriptural rationale I have presented previously. Prophets of the old testament lied, exaggerated, and changed their stories after giving the them the first time. Specifically all three biblical prophets of the Elijah anointing did just those very things. So what I have to ask myself is this: is Bro. Branham's mistakes in these areas any greater than the mistakes of those other men of the Elijah anointing? I ultimately conclude no, because John the Baptist actually got close to denying Christ in his change of story. None of Bro. Branham's exaggerations seem to have any doctrinal impact. For me, the majority of Bro. Branham's exaggerations are minor in nature, not impactful or related to doctrine or church teachings, and easily overlooked and excused (not as though they were ok, but just accepted as the flaw of a man). This particular exaggeration concerning the cloud, as I have said is the most unfortunate. However, not being related directly to scriptural interpretation, it again does not provide us with scriptural grounds to reject his entire ministry. It provides us only with grounds to question this particular event.You state 1 Cor 4:2, which is an excellent goal and standard. However, Paul also states in Rom 11:29 "the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance" (or irrevocable in other translations), meaning that the gift and calling can still be authentic despite the personal failings of the gift bearer or called individual. A prophet is still a prophet, despite his personal failings. | ||
== | ==ABM - William Branham admitted he was not there== | ||
'''ABM:''' There is one important quote about the cloud I notice that you are missing, which I believe is the clarifying statement to the entire issue. In the first message where he ever talked about the cloud photograph, he says the following: | '''ABM:''' There is one important quote about the cloud I notice that you are missing, which I believe is the clarifying statement to the entire issue. In the first message where he ever talked about the cloud photograph, he says the following: | ||