The Cause of Prophecy

The knowledge of the genuine prophet cannot be accounted for by any natural power in himself. This knowledge is from God. It is revealed knowledge, not acquired knowledge, and Godis its cause. St. Peter says (II Pet. 1:21): “Prophecy came not by the will of man … but the holy men of God spoke,inspired by the Holy Ghost.”

In the universe of creatures, lower things are regularly directed by higher things and so up to the highest. Inthe world of creatural intellects, the angelic is superior to the human. It is fitting, therefore, that the knowledge to be uttered in prophecy should be conveyed to the human prophet by angels.

It cannot be said that God selects as prophets men of a suitable disposition for the office of prophet. God chooses as prophets whom he will, regardless of natural abilities anddispositions. The infinite Creator can instantly produce in any man the qualifications naturally needed (as, for instance, the power to speak, or the ability to use an unfamiliar language), justas he produces the supernatural knowledge and the authority of the prophet.

Indeed, if God choose, the office of prophet may be exercised by a person who is not even in the state of grace. For prophecy is primarily a matter of knowledge, which pertains to the intellect, whereas grace or charity pertains primarily to the will. Yet it is most unlikely that a man of sinful and passionate life should be made a prophet.

The evil spirits are fallen angels; by their angelicintellect they know things that man cannot naturally know, and they can reveal these things to man. But this revelation is neither divine nor supernatural. One who proclaims knowledge acquired from demons is not, in a strict sense, a prophet; at best he is to be called “a false prophet.”

Even such “a false prophet” may speak truth;indeed, he must offer some truth, or he would quickly be discredited, and could win no one to believe the essential falsityhe wishes to propagate.