R. T. Kendall is a remarkably prolific author – indeed increasingly so: he’s had as many as nine books published in the past half-decade alone, an astonishing achievement for a man now in his mid-80s.

Prophetic Integrity puts that figure at number ten. It’s clearly a timely output, being largely prompted by the string of failed prophecies boldly proclaiming that Donald Trump would be re-elected as US President in 2020.

Testimony

The first two chapters are biographical – the author sharing his personal experiences in the prophetic. Here he recounts his encounters with the Kansas City Prophets. He appears selective in his focus, almost entirely ignoring the eccentric Bob Jones, concentrating instead on Paul Cain and John Paul Jackson. All three men, Kendall is sure, had extraordinary levels of prophetic gifting, and numerous examples are given. Nowhere is the possibility of receiving words by other means (eg the occult) explored – their accuracy in words of knowledge is proof enough for Kendall that they were genuine prophets.

Kendall admits his close connections with Cain, co-authoring a book with him and accepting him as a member of his Westminster Chapel (despite Cain living in the States), and holding conferences with him. Despite revelations emerging of longstanding scandals in Cain’s lifestyle, which brought great embarrassment to Kendall, he remains convinced that Cain was a genuine prophet.

“We have no claim on God”, Kendall makes clear; “The truth is, God’s claim is on us. We are bought with a price; He owes us nothing.”

Kendall doesn't name (though I could) the bunch of world-renowned prophetic figures who met with the leader of the so-called Lakeland Outpouring, Todd Bentley, in 2008, to ‘commission’ him and heap praises on him – one even prophesying he would become greater than Moses. Kendall may have been the only leader invited to the live TV event who turned down the offer. Yet, all the while, Bentley was engaged in an adulterous relationship, while goings-on at his nightly meetings were highly disturbing and bordering on the heretical.

Levels of prophecy

Kendall moves from testimony to teaching – though personal anecdotes continue to abound. His chapter ‘God of glory’ ably reveals what the focus of every prophet – indeed, every believer – should be: giving glory to God. “We have no claim on God”, Kendall makes clear; “The truth is, God’s claim is on us. We are bought with a price; He owes us nothing” (p.51).

Following a short Bible study of various Old Testament prophets, Kendall makes it abundantly clear that God indeed knows the future. He goes on to set out what he considers to be seven levels of prophecy. In descending order, these are –

• Holy Scripture.
• Non-canonical prophecy
• Testifying under persecution
• Prophetic preaching
• Prophetic warnings
• Words of knowledge
• General exhortation

The examples the author gives of the middle three are particularly interesting.

Kendall strongly urges that any budding prophet should think twice before using language such as ‘Thus saith the Lord’, or ‘the Lord told me...’

In a helpful chapter explaining the significance of both divine and human oaths in the Bible, Kendall, aware that many believers are far too cavalier in uttering words from the mouth of the Almighty, strongly urges that any budding prophet should think twice before using language such as ‘Thus saith the Lord’, or ‘the Lord told me ….’ (p. 129). He urges prophets to “seek God’s face so that he can swear an oath to you before you give a prophetic word” (p.134).

Deficient ‘prophetic movement’

Kendall is clearly appalled by developments in the so-called prophetic movement in America and in the charismatic church generally. He pinpoints two particular deficiencies: an absence of a theology of suffering, and an absence of a theology of divine judgement upon Christians. Kendall is in no doubt that America is currently under judgement (he recently wrote a book on the topic; ‘We’ve Never Been this Way Before’ (2020). Like Clifford Hill, he sees the Covid pandemic (and even the resulting fear that gripped the world, much of which emanated from the media) as an obvious sign of God’s judgement on the western world.

He pinpoints two particular deficiencies: an absence of a theology of suffering, and an absence of a theology of divine judgement upon Christians.

Pertinently, Kendall points out that no prophet foretold the coming of Covid upon the world. “Why would some …. prophetic people be able to call out the names and addresses of men and women from vast audiences but not warn that a pandemic was at hand?” (p.143).

Kendall’s statements will ring true with most readers. At the same time, it’s rather easy to take pot-shots at the likes of Paul Cain and the failed ‘Trump prophets’, all of whom, it is now patently obvious, went seriously astray. What is further needed is an indepth and incisive critique of the current prophetic movement, with its ever popular worldwide leaders. Sadly, Kendall doesn’t tackle this, sticking to fairly ‘safe’ ground throughout. 

Closing thoughts

Towards the end of the book Kendall enters into a lengthy diatribe against ‘open theism’ – the popular belief that “God’s knowledge of the future is not predetermined, and therefore needs us for input”. I don't see this section as directly relevant to the topic in hand, though such thinking clearly affects our views on prophecy. It also provides Kendall with yet further evidence that God has taken his hand off the Church.

Kendall closes his study with a serious call for honesty, vulnerability and repentance in the prophetic movement. While I can't help thinking that what is ultimately required is something rather more substantial, this is a deeply interesting read, with lots of helpful teaching and intriguing testimony.

‘Prophetic Integrity’ (192pp) is published by Thomas Nelson, and is available from Amazon for £12.99 (inc p&p).