The understanding of biblical prophecy and its influence on the believers’ life : case study : St. Paul Busitema Catholic Parish, Tororo Archdiocese

Abstract

This study researches into the understanding of Biblical Prophecy and its influence on the believers’ life. A number of Christians in St. Paul Busitema Catholic Parish mistakenly understand prophecy as the prediction of future events and yet this is only one meaning of the reality. Precisely, in this study Biblical Prophecy is the divine inspiration or revelation announcing the issue (eventus) of things with invariable truth (Marthaler 2003, p. 763). The study adopted the descriptive and analytical research designs which were quantitative and qualitative in nature to arrive at the findings. The quantitative paradigm was employed in getting the observable reality while qualitative paradigm catered for the non-testable cases especially expressions. In sampling, the researcher took a sample size of 120 respondents with the majority being at least literate persons knowledgeable in matters concerning Biblical Prophecy. The results revealed a noticeable development in the understanding of Biblical Prophecy. This is because of the various points of departure and emphasis by the different scholars of this discipline. The results also revealed that a correct understanding and proper interpretation of Biblical Prophecy is an indispensable factor in bringing about not only an attentive perception of reality and the values of God but also an alternative vision of society and reality in the light of the believers’ experience of God. And with this achieved, a more moral, faithful, less Godless and just society may be realized especially as believers try to live good Christian lives or become aware of their accountability to God. The study concluded that when the believers understand their mission especially as regards their prophetic call through baptism and live a life of witness to the Word of God (or the Gospel of Christ), they shall live a good Christian live. Therefore, the recommendation of the study is that true Prophecy should lead to true knowledge and worship of God, that is, not only intellectual knowledge as such or the knowledge of doctrine about God but also attachment to God and the practice of justice (see Hos. 6; Jer. 5; 6; 7; 22; Isa. 1 and Am. 5).