Introduction

Summary

Prophetic politics is personal and charismatic, not institutional or routinized, making the prophetic sword distinct from the swords wielded by church and state. What most distinguishes a prophet is the courage to call out abuses of political and religious power. The volcanic moral passions that upend our politics – think of prohibition, civil rights, abortion – usually stem from prophetic condemnation. Many people attempt to assume the authority of prophets by imitating their harsh rhetoric, but true prophets today are more likely to be found in jail for civil disobedience than issuing jeremiads on television. A prophet claims to speak on behalf of God, and such a claim is a conversation stopper. Prophetic politics is necessary only when normal politics has become irredeemable.