How to Profit from Prophets

Book excerpt: Prophets have not done well in history -- at least not by ordinary standards: Elijah seemed to be the only one in Israel resisting Baalism. Amos was told to keep silent and go back where he came from. Jeremiah was scorned and imprisoned. John, the Baptist was beheaded, and... Jesus, the greatest of them all, was crucified. By ordinary standards the prophets have not done well because, as Jesus said, we ignore or kill the messengers of God. And yet it is the extraordinary standards of the prophets that intrigue us, inspire us, and stimulate our minds and consciences to God's ways and thoughts. Because of their extraordinary standards the prophets continue to shape us and history. In this challenging Advent-Christmas book, Maurice A. Fetty reminds us again how it is important to "profit from prophets." Maurice A. Fetty is Senior Minister of the Congregational Church of Manhasset (United Church of Christ) in Manhasset, New York. He has also served churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Minneapolis; East Harlem; and Brooklyn. Fetty holds the Master of Sacred Theology Degree from Union Theological Seminary and the Master of Arts Degree from Christian Theological Seminary. In addition to numerous articles he has authored several books, including Putting Your Life On The Line; Sex, Love And Marriage; and The Divine Advocacy.