. . . the main criteria
for discerning false prophecy (lack of fulfilment, prophesying good outcomes,
prophecy through dreams, lack of allegiance to Yahweh) are not absolutely reliable.
The main criteria of being a false prophet (being a cult official, immoral
conduct and a lack of conviction of being sent by Yahweh, also have significant
problems. (Elim Hiu, Regulations Concerning Tongues and Prophecy in 1 Corinthians
14.26-40 [Library of New Testament Studies 406; London: T&T Clark,
2010, 2019], 20)
Fulfilment may fail
because prophecy may be general or conditional, true prophets also prophesy good
news (Isa. 7.1-7), dreams can lead to true prophecy in the Old Testament,
and some prophets of Baal believed themselves to be prophets of Yahweh, which
negates the test of Deut. 13.1-5. Regarding prophetic character,
non-cultic prophets may also be false, immoral behaviour is suggested in Hosea,
Isa 8.3 and particularly in Jer. 38.25-27, conviction of calling is
also found in false prophets (1 Kgs 22.11, 14; Jer. 28.2).
(Ibid., 20 n. 18)
