ABSTRACT
An important element in this tradition had been prophecy, something that had from the earliest times been an embarrassment to institutional religion, both because it is uncontrollable by the authorities and because it so often calls into question the social practices of the time. Most of the Old Testament prophets challenged those in authority, particularly those who oppressed the weak. Few authorities, whether of church or state, then, have ever precisely welcomed prophets, yet they have often been afraid to ignore them; therefore, though suspicious of them, they have never entirely closed the door upon them, and from time to time have even listened to the prophetic voice.
