In a message dated 08/04/2000 11:42:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< On this matter, however--putting first things last--let me ask how members
of the list would define "prophecy" in this context.
>>
I was initially led to understand that a prophecy was a prediction, or at the
very least a warning of things to come if X doesn't change. A high school
teacher (I think it was the priest I had for religion my freshman year),
however, convinced me that a prophecy is an oracular message from God (or the
gods if pagan) in which a warning is issued but no firm committment to what
will or will not be. In this context, Catherine of Siena, at the very least,
would be prophetic. One might add the Marian visitations at Lourdes and
Fatima in this category as well. It is interesting, on the other hand, to
see that the shift in meaning of prophecy by the late middle ages, if not
sooner.
mark
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