WHY I LEFT the Prophetic Movement by Andrew Strom (book review)

If the man was there and participated in what he describes in the book should the church just say oh well it's something tht happens in every revival or move of God or something similiar along those lines? The movement, probably somewhat pure and well intentioned at the beginning, came straight out of the charismatic church. I brushed shoulders with the prophetic movement so I'm not totally unfamiliar with what was going on. Do we as charismatics have the courage to ask the hard questions? I'm not preaching, I'm just somewhat frustrated. In all of these "silly and dry denominational churches" I have looked down my nose at in times past you don't see these kind of unbiblical excesses. Mr. Strom has posed some very relevant and pertinent questions in his book in my opinion

It's getting late,

"Doc"

i've pondered this thread ever since it was posted, and kinda went back and forth as to whether to post my feelings about it, as it hits pretty close to home in my own Christian walk (thus far) and life ... i know in my spirit that i am just about at the close of "one season"
and the beginning of a "new season" ...

Quote;
"Andrew Strom ... For many years he was a "publisher of the prophets" on the Internet - and widely known in prophetic circles - until he publicly quit the movement in 2004, causing shockwaves around the world."

--- After a very short space i learned quickly what it meant to concider oneself called of God as a NT prophet, let alone make the ultimate mistake of actually saying so openly ... i thank God that in my belief of His moving me in the prophetic (in my own little circle of assignment) i had no idea until coming to SI that there was any such thing as "The Prophetic Movement" ... i've always thought the NT prophet was to be pretty much like the OT prophet, in that you don't even know they're around as long as God's people are on plumb, but when things start to get shaky within the throng God brings us to the fore with "warnings" of slippage ... i've also always thought that the prophet/prophetic was a singular man, in lone singular reluctant movement, not some broad movement that the 'prophets" were supposed to all get together and join up into for comfort, support and solace ... i thought early that the NT prophet, like the old, was supposed to only draw comfort, support and solace from God in the calling, not from fellow men ... Anyhow ... ---

docs wrote;
"Do we as charismatics have the courage to ask the hard questions? I'm not preaching, I'm just somewhat frustrated. In all of these "silly and dry denominational churches" I have looked down my nose at in times past you don't see these kind of unbiblical excesses. "

--- Amen, i know what you're saying here, altho i've never looked down my nose on any other saints/denoms after i got saved ... i was raised a JW and belive me they look down their noses on everyone else, so that by the time Christ brought me to Himself i was reallt flabberghasted to find so much division within the Body, and it was the first mission i believe He had me attack ... it was the onset of what was to become a long salvation walk of "annoying saints" and "aggravating pastors" with questions as to why they made such snide, and sometimes even nasty, comments about one another, even from the pulpit, regarding saints of different denominations ... When i look back on my spiritual upbringing, especially being raised JW, i can see many things from that that God could use in me such as having a perfectionist view when it comes to what scripture says we ought to be, especially in regards Him, our fellow saints, and our fellow man ... But on the other hand if such traits are not used of God, but of ourselves, then we could be doing much more harm than good moving in the perspiration of our own initiative, attempting to help God by making something happen, while all the while making matters worse ... This has been my own most gut wrenching concern in my own (i hope called of God) walk with God thus far in the "prophetic" ... i thank Him that out of a pronouncement a long time coming i believe led of Him to make, that i'll soon be made aware of whether "i'm live (of Him), or memorex (horribly of myself) ...

But this i know for sure, tho my belief structure of being called to NT prophet wasn't formed in a Pentecostal setting, it was further enabled and supported to a strength that was able to survive on it's own apart from that initial nurturing once the "words" started to be delivered
and were contrary to the new direction of the church/pastor ... i've often thought over the years that to get grief for delivering God's messages has intrisic value for oneself as treasures stored up in heaven and hopefully in His use of bringing the Body to repentance, but to be doing such out of self motivatioin is such gross dross, a sure sign of some kind of sick masochistic tendency, and as in bro Strom's expose the cause of an even greater sickness in the Body and further besmirchment of the name of Christ ... Thank God for the cleansing away of anything and anybody that's not trully of Him ...

True most so-called mainstream "denominational churches" don't have the amount of "unbiblical excesses" as many Charasmatic and Pentecostal churches/movements but then they may be just as guilty to the other extreme ... i looked up these definitions ...

Charismatic: a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms.

Charisms: a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms (as glossolalia or healing) .

In these definitions it seems to me ALL saints should be defined ... i'm always seeking Divine inspiration and charisms, tho of the latter i have no drive whatsoever toward the visible miracles that so many seem to seek amongst Pentecostalism ... i seek spiritual charisms, in particular a fresh annointing of Holy Spirit on the Body to massive repentance and REVIVAL to our first love and works toward Him ... i care nothing of if i ever see a physical healing, etc., my drive is only toward that of spiritual healing for the Church, and toward that which will occur in the harvest of other unsuspecting vessels of mercy into their being brought into the sheaves ... If God wants to follow that up with visible miracles, so be it, and He can give such gifts to whomever He choses, but i don't have to be one ... If He wants to bring exquisite joy to this saint all He has to do is latter rain down Holy Ghost REVIVAL, and of all else His grace would be more than sufficient ...

i've given my salvation testimony on SI in many places, how i believe it was He who moved me from from JW, to a Baptist assembly, then to a Pentecostal one, which i've said previously certainly wouldn't have been my choice because i'm a much more quieter worshipper than they ...

Andrew Strom left the Prophetic Movement, and God knows that when this year is over, and if i'm proven to also have been one operating in as dos's wrote "unbiblical excesses", my intent will be to apologize to all i feel led of Holy Spirit to apologize to, then gladly leave the Pentecostal C.O.G.I.C. behind and attend some nice, little, multi-cultural Presbyterian assembly, much more appealing to my personality and demeanor ...

Blessings in Christ Jesus, and may His will only be done, especially apart and separate from even well meaning men who somehow get things all twisted to further shame ... Let God be found true, and all men and our movements whether individual, or in tandem, a liar! ... What ALL of us need is much, much, much more of Him, and none of our "selves", for the latter makes nothing but more mess ---

Hey bro,

I don't have a lot of time right now. But I did read your reply and can relate to what you are saying. You said some good things I just don't have the time to reply to right now. For now, please see my post above - "The office of prophet and the gift of prophecy." It's a good place to start in my opinion in an effort to rightly analyze some of the misunderstandings and blurring of distinctions that have occured and are perhaps at least partly responsible for much of the confusion and excesses that have run amok.

Blessings,

"Doc"

Does the book serve as a warning or does it just "tell all"?

Doc you wrote;
"I don't have a lot of time right now. But I did read your reply and can relate to what you are saying. You said some good things I just don't have the time to reply to right now. For now, please see my post above - "The office of prophet and the gift of prophecy." It's a good place to start in my opinion in an effort to rightly analyze some of the misunderstandings and blurring of distinctions that have occured and are perhaps at least partly responsible for much of the confusion and excesses that have run amok."

---Praise God for your reply Doc ...

i've been on SI Forum since 2004 and believe me every which way "the calling of prophet", and the difference between "the calling" and "the gift of prophecy" by Holy Spirit, has been hashed, re-hashed, and then hashed some more, sometimes in heated debate ... i have no further inclination to "analyze some of the misunderstandings and blurring of distinctions that have occured", so please don't feel burdened to reply in any depth in your time constraint ...

See i ain't at the "start" of this season, but at the "end", which actually means on to a "new beginning in a new season", the former is very soon passed away either in validation by God that all i believe He's had me do, and i've reluctantly done, He will make true to fruition to His glory and my promotion into an even wider work, or like Peter "I go a fishing" (John 21:3), with all that that entails as described in ...

[b]Matthew Henry Bible Commentary - John Chapter 21[/b]
(They knew not well what to do with themselves. For my part, says Peter, I will go a fishing)
http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/mhc/john/21.html

This saying i'll be returning to a much simpler type, first love, first works, Christianity and assembly, in a complete disassociation from what has over the decades become an increasingly much more complex and burdensome walk in our Lord in that i'll be freed from both an apparent delusion of a "prophetic" calling, and from a denominational invironment (Pentecostalism) in which such delusion could be nutured in the first pace (amongst all the apparent others) ...

There's an open door before me, and one way or the other i'm soon to be ushered thru it into a "new season of freedom" ...

[b]Learning to "Rest in the Lord" or "The Waiting Room" experience ...[/b]
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=10395&forum=35&post_id=&refresh=Go

Blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ! ... :-D

I finally made it back to leave a few comments. As you know, I'm relatively new here so I didn't know that the subject of the calling and office of a prophet versus the gift of prophecy has been hashed and rehashed. It's not suprising though and is a necessary topic in these days of glib and erroneous phrases and concepts. Good for SI.

I'm sort of in a new season also. I'm not where I was (not wanting to go back) and not where I'm going. I'm in a season where I will be able to visit various churches in my locality and then before too very long make a decision as to which local fellowhip the Lord wants me to be a part of. Good luck (ugh!). That doesn't sound right. Rather, blessings upon you as you start your new season also bro. You sound like one who is looking for genuiness and I encourage you in that. Would you pray for me also?

"Doc" :-)

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I'd like to get one so don't sell out before the first day. :-(

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Many Christians cry out for true prophets, but it seems when one is raised among them, those who cry out for true prophets are the first ones to stoned them.

Surely a true prophet wouldn't care about getting good reviews, they wouldn't care about seeking man's opinions because they are there to do the will of God and please Him only.

.

I haven't even read the book but I will order one very soon. We have long needed the courage to ask the hard questions and acknowledge that many things are not lining up biblically in some of the modern movements and trends however well intentioned they may have been in their beginnings. You've done a much needed service for us and thank you for making the effort to honestly point some of these things out.

"Doc"

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Come on folks, you have effectively called a fellow "CHRISTIAN' a false prophet. That is foolish!Rom 14:4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master[1] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Jesus said by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, by the LOVE you have one toward another, where is the love in your comments? You might try to defend yourselves and your stand or position on this matter, but rember every man womam and child will give account to God for thier own actions, maybe the Lord told him to write this book and market it, are you close enough to God to speak for Him on behalf of this man? Can you stand the same judgement you have cast? THINK! you two have just done toward him exactly what those of old did toward the prophets of old! Be slow to speak and quick to hear, let the day declare itself in light of a matter, come on you two are better than this, I've read some of your comments on other posts, grow up!

I can say with a great deal of certainty that most people in these forums would enjoy siting down and talking with Andrew and his family. They felt God leading and packed up from New Zealand and came to the US; Kansas City in particular. I did not know the man from Adam a few weeks before he arrived. I believe God ordained it.

From then we spent a great deal of time together. We have ministered together in revival meetings, street services and homeless ministry. You may not agree with Andrew, but I have to take strong issue with asserting he is a false prophet. There are few people around that preaches a full Gospel message like him that I am aware of. And he certainly don't need me as his defense. But I'll speak up any time when I know better than what is being insinuated or spoken of him.

Thankyou Robert and Dohzman for sticking up for me. However on reflection I believe there is much truth in what Corey is saying.

I need to avoid even the appearance of "self-
promotion" - and that is what Corey was bringing out. I believe he is right.

Corey - I apologize. You have made me look at myself and the way I am doing things - and I am going to make real changes - starting tonight.

I want to thankyou for being so bold and forthright. "The wounds of a friend". -Truly.

I think probably I should start by erasing my other posts on this thread.

God bless you!

Andrew Strom.

Dear bro Andrew,

It was a couple of years back, when I was in a very dry and barren state in my spiritual life, going to church regularly and very much involved in church actvities but 'dying' inside me.

I happened to stumble onto your article online and something shone through the despair I was going through. Many things I was questioning began to be answered. I started to seek more and not just receive and believe what people say or teach. I began to cry out to God and He has been more than good. I 'stumbled' or was 'led' to Sermonindex (thank you, Lord) and here you are too. I thank the Lord for you too. Your openness and brokenness opened my eyes to many things.

I am not good at reviews and comments but I would like to share this response by Kato Mivule. God bless.

Response to "Why I left the Prophetic Movement" By Andrew Strom

An African Perspective

By Kato Mivule

I read with interest the article on "Why I left the Prophetic Movement" by Andrew Strom, I thank God that he did and also have put out a warning to everyone. Well I live in Kansas City too, and I am from Uganda, Africa, I have been for a long time disgusted at the manipulation and games that these prophets play, mainly lust for money and power.

There is a strong spirit of greed for money and power here in the West and this spirit asserts itself in very sophisticated ways that it takes discerning from God to uncover these evil demons of control, power and money. I found out that those who don't preach the prosperity gospel, like most TV preachers we know, actually practice the prosperity gospel by their way of life, they do it in such a subtle way that it is not open to the simple minded eye. The other trouble is that the movement is so attached to the issue of power and who should be in control, just like much of the Christendom Churches do.

The lust for power comes from a false spirit that has duped the Western churches and ministries to be run like corporate organizations. We have the structure similar to that of any corporate organization inside these churches and ministries, there are CEOs, etc and maybe that is why most churches here enjoy the IRS 501(c) tax exemption status. This problem is not just a 'Prophetic/charismatic' issue but also a symptom of the extent at which the moneyed suburbanized American church has decomposed with her continual adultery with the present world and Satan.

This spirit of dominionism has so much been epitomized in the just concluded presidential elections. Christians have been deceived that they have to “take back” all government control and create a so-called Christian nation, such deceit is not only alarming but very heartbreaking cause those who have studied history know exactly what happened when Constantine the infamous Roman emperor did when he institutionalized Christianity as the official religion. History tells us what happened next. Jesus said simply and very plainly that his kingdom is not of this world.

Secondly I believe strongly with all my heart that true dominion power and rule belong only to Jesus Christ and He will establish that when He comes and not now through the suburbanized American church. The Suburb Church of America has been deceived into believing that God will only accomplish His will and purposes through them and not any one else, they see them selves as supporting and fulfilling the great commission and all the so-called "prophetic" purposes of God, one wonders why missionaries leave America and go to evangelize other nations, spending billions of dollars a year and yet cannot even help their fellow brothers in Christ who pray in a partial renovated beat-up former store structures in the inner Cities that look much like a war zone.

The devil has been successful in making them hate their inner city or poor brother while making expensive flights to preach to us in Africa or the rest of the so-called "third world" who are normally seen as "heathens" or those living in the "dark continent". This dominion spirit is no different from colonialism and imperialism. It is not a spirit from Christ; it is the spirit of man. So when it comes to evangelism, again there is control and dominion from the Rich Young Ruler, The American Church.

The lack of concern and blaming the poor by the American church is nauseating. The American Church has been deceived by the devil into joining hands with the so-called conservative and democrats in fighting against the poor in America by blaming the poor for their predicament. Those who read the Bible prophets like Isaiah, etc, know that God has drawn a clear line. Those who fight against the widows, poor and orphans, fight against God, for God is their protector. These Rich preachers are engaging in fistfights with The Lord, and will ultimately loose. The 'prophetic movement' including the so-called Religious Right Christians sadly have succumbed to such deceit from the devil and so blinded that they cannot see this clearly.

Those who are simple minded however, will not want to hear this or even enjoy reading such articles. But like the current politicians are saying, "you can fool some people all the time but cannot fool all people all the time", those with discernment from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word will not be deceived.

The church in America should receive the Lord's rebuke with all their heart and strengthen what remains otherwise they risk being given deep into the spirit of the evil one. The repentance here is not just confessing sins religiously but the Mathew Chapter 3 repentance that bares fruit.

Matthew 3:7-10

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire

The John the Baptist repentance which bares fruit is what is required otherwise the axe is laid at the root of the American church tree to cut it down and throw it in the fire if no one heeds to God's voice and repents from dead works of men and Satan.

I stand with you in prayer and know that what is happening to you is not just an isolation or a single incident but happening to many brothers and sisters in Christ around the World.

Your Brother in Christ from Uganda, Africa

Kato Mivule