I’m reading a little book at the moment called Four Modern Prophets. Written in the 80s it looks at Walter Rauschenbusch, Martin Luther King Jr, Gustavo Gutierrez and Rosemary Radford Ruether. All were prophets who spoke into the society of the time and who stood up for the rights of the oppressed – whether those were people who were poor, black or female (or all three). Many might have some issues with elements of their theology but it cannot be argued that their concern is not rooted in the Old Testament prophets and the teaching of Jesus.
I’m wondering who the prophets of today are?
A few year years back Stocki penned ‘The Rock Cries Out‘ in response to a sense that musicians were speaking out on issues that the church was too silent on.
Currently the media only seem to hear Christian voices in debates on marriage,sexuality and abortion.
Too often at the moment it seems like the Christian voices we hear are about ‘our rights’ and less so about standing up for the rights of the marginalised and the oppressed, for justice and for the dignity of people created in the image of God.
Where are the modern-day prophets who are able and willing to speak out on healthcare, on education reform, on housing, on behalf of the marginalised. In 2012 Ireland who is prepared to speak out on behalf of the urban poor, the rural poor, the asylum seeker, the traveller?
And what is my role? Is it time for me to look for and encourage the Gutierrezes and MLKs of our day and our time? Is it time for me to agitate in my church that we need to be serving and speaking up on behalf of the oppressed in our little part of Dublin? Is it time for me to step up?
Who are the prophets of our day? Can you help me find some?
the soapbox 
Really interesting question Soapbox, I like to think that ‘artists’ can be prophetic and when I use that word, I mean writers, filmmakers, poets, graffitt artists, musicians, digital media gurus etc.
Some of the most challenging social critique I have heard recently was from a young black performance poet at Greenbelt called Bridget Minamore. Google her.
I also have high hopes for The Good Man movie.
No matter what people’s conclusions about Kony were, that was a hard hitting piece of social engagement.
I think creativity is the key, saying what needs to be said in a way people will stop and take notice, or by giving people a voice that wouldn’t normally have one.
Thanks Debbie, yeah I think you’re onto something when you say creativity is the key. I think ‘artists’ can have a huge voice. The old forms of the written and spoken word are still powerful but music and visual stuff is what the younger generation tend to ‘get’.
There’s something about the prophet being outside the ‘establishment’ as well…
I think this is what I was trying to say the other day but got lost along the way. Reading this has helped clarify by thoughts about a few things, thanks.