False prophet

False prophet is a label given to a person who is viewed as illegitimately claiming charismatic authority within a religious group. The individual may be seen as one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy, or who uses that gift for evil ends.

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Prophets are particularly important figures in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and to prophesy falsely is seen as one of the worst forms of blasphemy since it falsely claims the speaker is acting with divine authority directly on behalf of God. False prophets may still be spoken of as working miracles, but such powers as they have may be believed to be divine gifts misused, or gifts of satanic origin.

Related Topics:
Prophet - Judaism - Christianity - Islam - Blasphemy - Miracles - Satanic

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The Old Testament defines false prophecy twice, in Deuteronomy 13:1-5, and Deuteronomy 18:20-22. The first reference is to a prophet who works a miracle or makes a true prediction, then advocates the worship of other gods; such a prophet is a test of faith sent by God, and must be put to death. The second passage describes a prophet who speaks in God's name without permission, or speaks in the name of another god. False prophets of this type are distinguished by their failure to make true predictions. The penalty for this type of false prophecy is also death, but the wording, "shall surely die", is ambiguous as to whether it describes a sentence to be carried out, or predicts the inevitable ordained outcome.

Related Topics:
Old Testament - Deuteronomy - Gods - God - Put to death

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The status of Jesus outside of Christianity and of Mohammed outside of Islam is an important and controversial matter. For the most part Judaism does not regard either as a genuine prophet, but while some rabbis condemn them as false prophets, others deny that they prophesied at all, and blame their followers for misrepresenting their careers. Christian theologians hold a similar range of views concerning Mohammed. Conversely, the Koran explicitly accepts Jesus as a teacher and prophet, while portraying the crucifixion and resurrection as a fabrication.

Related Topics:
Jesus - Christianity - Mohammed - Islam - Judaism - Rabbi - Koran - Crucifixion - Resurrection

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