ABSTRACT
Visionary experiences occur frequently and in many forms in the Bible, and the divine messages delivered through the channel of vision are often depicted in the Scriptures as playing a decisive role in shaping the history of humanity. This centrality of prophetic vision in Christianity is, at the same time, in direct correlation with the gravity of the damage that false prophecy can potentially cause; indeed, the Scriptures contain multiple warnings about the fact that divine messages might be misconceived or falsely claimed. The discussion in this chapter will first show that vision is potentially vulnerable both to unintended subjective distortions and conscious abuse, and that this inherent vulnerability can also be capitalised on by spiritual forces that are not acting under God’s authority. The second half of the chapter then presents several possible criteria and procedures that can be utilised to discern errors and deception in visions, thereby authenticating divine revelations. While these tests will always leave some room for doubt – as will be illustrated by an analysis of one rather ambiguous biblical vision report, Eliphaz’s dream in the Book of Job – the chapter concludes by arguing that careful validation can ensure that visionary practices are as secure and reliable as most other Christian activities.
