Prophecy In Carthage

From the perspectives of a laywoman, a bishop, and a theologian, he looks at connections between prophetic phenomena - on the rise in Carthage at that time and in decline elsewhere - and ecclesiastical expectations.

"Prophecy" is never easily defined. It has meant different things to different people of the church at different times. For some, it is an ancient and finished event from which we can only learn; for others, it is still an ongoing wonder, occurring daily in varying manifestations and calling for widely divergent responses. Through the writings and legacy of Perpetua, Tertullian, and Cyprian, early Christians of the third century, Cecil Robeck has undertaken a historical examination of the gift of prophecy in the early church. He explores their visions and how those visions served and spoke to the persecuted community of believers who formed the early church. From the perspectives of a laywoman, a bishop, and a theologian, he looks at connections between prophetic phenomena--on the rise in Carthage at that time and in decline elsewhere--and ecclesiastical expectations. Placing emphasis on the prophetic function rather than the prophetic person, Robeck probes the interpretation, application, and effect of their visions on the church. Through that lens, he demonstrates that their visions have meaning beyond the personal and immediate for the prophet--that they can provide guidance, enlightenment, and meaning not only for their world and time, but for ours as well.

“Prophecy” is never easily defined. It has meant different things to different people of the church at different times. For some, it is an ancient and finished event from which we can only learn; for others, it is still an ongoing wonder, occurring daily in varying manifestations and calling for widely divergent responses. Through the writings and legacy of Perpetua, Tertullian, and Cyprian, early Christians of the third century, Cecil Robeck has undertaken a historical examination of the gift of prophecy in the early church. He explores their visions and how those visions served and spoke to the persecuted community of believers who formed the early church. From the perspectives of a laywoman, a bishop, and a theologian, he looks at connections between prophetic phenomena—on the rise in Carthage at that time and in decline elsewhere—and ecclesiastical expectations. Placing emphasis on the prophetic function rather than the prophetic person, Robeck probes the interpretation, application, and effect of their visions on the church. Through that lens, he demonstrates that their visions have meaning beyond the personal and immediate for the prophet—that they can provide guidance, enlightenment, and meaning not only for their world and time, but for ours as well.

Recent years have seen a significant rise in scholarly research on the gifts of prophecy and the related phenomena of visions and dreams. This study attempts to evaluate the role (extent of their presence) and function (interpretation and application) of such phenomena for the persecuted church at Carthage between A.D. 202 and 258. The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas as well as the writings of Tertullian and the epistles and treatises of Cyprian provide the basic texts. The Passion is a diary-like account of the last days of several young catechumen, martyred in Carthage in A.D. 202/3. It has been edited and published by a redactor whose concern was to provide contemporary illustrations of how God continued to meet the needs of His people. Of significance are visions experienced by Perpetua (The Ladder 4.1-10; Dinocrates 7.1-10, 8.14; and The Egyptian 10.14) and her fellow prisoner Saturus (11.1-13.8). It is concluded that these visions must be interpreted in light of prevailing Roman world-view in matters of afterlife, with accompanying allusions to apocalytpic and biblical texts. Their primary functions were to bring strength, comfort, and direction in the midst of persecution. Tertullian, a contemporary of Perpetua came under the influence of the New Prophecy. His writings prior to A.D. 206 show little interest in prophetic phenomena, but from that point onward are heavily influenced by Montanist concerns. His primary use of nearly a dozen oracles and/or visions is to demonstrate the continued direction of the church through the Spirit. He understands the Spirit's role to be illuminator, a conveyor of Christ's continuing word to the church in keeping with John 16:12-15. Yet, the prophetic word of the Spirit is always judged by Scripture and the regula fidei. Coming at the close of the period under discussion is the tenure of Bishop Cyprian. His writings reveal four primary functions which prophecies and visions played in his own ministry; (1) introduction of ecclesiastical appointments, (2) provision of comfort to the Confessors, (3) exhortations to Christian unity, and (4) words of personal direction. The varieties of prophetic phenomena experience by laity, clergy, men, women, new converts, mature believers and whole councils demonstrate the significant role of prophetic gifts for the North African Church. Their use on the whole seems to have been consistent with Scriptual guidelines.

In this book, Rex D. Butler examines the Passion for evidence of Montanism and proposes that its three authors--Perpetua, Saturus, and the unnamed editor--were Montanists.

This is a review of 37 crucial prophecies that affect us today.

During the four centuries of its existence (ca. 165–550), Montanism, an early-Christian prophetic movement, stirred up considerable controversy. Known to its adherents as the ‘New Prophecy,’ its opponents viewed it as a ‘fake prophecy’ with ‘polluted sacraments.’ Accused of introducing novelty and heresy into Christianity. Montanism, in the post-Constantinian era, was also persecuted by Christian emperors. This book identifies all known opponents of Montanism, analyzes and classifies the various charges leveled against Montanism, and describes the methods used to counteract and ultimately destroy the movement. Also described are the ways in which the Montanists reacted to the opposition against them, revealing that the picture painted of the New Prophecy by its opponents was grossly distorted. Fake Prophecy and Polluted Sacraments provides an insightful case-study of the treatment of a minority Christian movement by Church and State both before and after ‘catholic’ Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

The work of uniting churches is slow, challenging, and multifaceted; and it changes in each generation and location. In this book, Josiah Baker studies the efforts of believers towards reconciliation as something significant for how we understand the church. He offers a theology for laborers, people for whom unity is not only an idea but a calling and sure hope. A Visible Unity is a study in systematic theology on the relation of ecumenical methodology to ecclesiological convergence, how acting together results in the churches being together. Ecumenical work informs ecclesiology because it involves the actions of Christians together in accordance with their shared views of the church. Whenever this work changes, the partnering churches change their relations and further resolve their divisions. Baker studies ecclesiology by telling stories about a person—the Pentecostal ecumenist Cecil Robeck—for Robeck’s decades of leadership in American and global ecumenical settings. By narrating his activities and analyzing his thought, the book offers a window into the interrelation of different portions of the ecumenical movement and how the movement has changed over the years. Baker compiles archival materials and personal interviews to tell stories about ecumenism never before published.