If you live in Columbus, IN you’ve likely heard of the Old Prophet. The Old Prophet is man that claims to have learned how to consult and interpret answers from God. The Old Prophet even claims to predict the future like his prediction of the fall of Rush Limbaugh, but Rush is bigger than he has ever been. The Old Prophet has a radio program on the local news station and puts articles in the local paper. He also likes to protest, picket, and pass out flyers at local churches. You see he thinks all the churches are full of lazy Christians and unrighteous teachings. He has been known to even cause disturbances in the churches. While a young kid was giving his testimony about a mission trip he had been on, the Old Prophet interrupted the child and complained that the church was having a kid do a man’s job. In my opinion this goes against what Jesus said about how we should not hinder the children (Mark 10:14).
I had an encounter with the Old Prophet at my church were I was an Elder. I tell you that I was an Elder, because it is my duty to protect the church from false prophets and teachings (2 John 10-11). I told the Old Prophet that while we are happy to have him attend our services we ask that he not pass out his flyers or harass our members. His first response was that I should have him arrested, so he could talk about it on his radio show. This is the first sign that the Old Prophet is not about Jesus, but only himself. He wants attention on him, so he can claim to be persecuted by the "evil" church. Of course we didn’t have him arrested.
I confronted the Old Prophet on a personal matter. You see years ago when my father was dying of cancer he met the Old Prophet. My father was sacred and confused. The Old Prophet told my father that he had laid hands on people while praying and brought healing. My father asked for the Old Prophet to come to his home. The Old Prophet did come and prayed for my father. My father told me that the Old Prophet told him “Kenny, you are healed.” My mother who was there can’t remember what was said word for word, but there was no doubt that the Old Prophet knew that my father thought he had been healed by the Old Prophet. The Old Prophet swore to God with his hand to the air that he did not promise my father he would heal him. He then went on to basically declare that I was going to hell because I’m overweight. Yes, folks he went to attacking my weight. He was yelling at me at this point and soon left.
First, the Old Prophet took advantage of a dying and scared man. The Old Prophet wanted to make him-self feel superior. He thinks he can heal, so he preys on the weak. His actions put a riff between my father and me. It made his last days harder on everyone in the family. Second, the Old Prophet swore to God. This goes against the teachings of Jesus that we should never swear (Matthew 5:34-37). Third, I have trouble with the idea that Christ’s grace is not strong enough to overcome my weight. I am overweight. Actually, I’m fat, but I admit that and ask God to forgive me. I struggle with this sin and many other sins, but the grace that comes from Jesus Christ has washed away my sins. Jesus' grace is strong enough to lift even fat butt up to heaven (Romans 6:23).
What really sadness me about the Old Prophet is that he will never know a full relationship with Christ. Church is full of sinners and that is why I‘m there. I come as a sinner with other sinners to ask for Christ's forgiveness and to worship Him. We are a family and we love each other. God wants his children to come together to worship him and love each other. The Old Prophet spends all his time condemning those who go to church, so never gets to know the feeling of being in the presence of God when 2 or more Christians come together (Matthew 18:20). I pray that the Old Prophet will see his error and instead of fighting the church become a driving force of good in the church. Until the Old Prophet changes his ways, in my opinion he should not be called the Old Prophet, but the False Prophet.
