Graham Cooke: Prophecy & Responsibility

Graham Cooke, Prophecy & Responsibility: A Journey into Receiving Revelation and the Process of Godly Communication (Brilliant Book House, 2007), 230 pages.

Prophecy & Responsibility is the second book in Graham Cooke’s six book Prophetic Equipping Series. The first volume is titled Approaching The Heart Of Prophecy: A Journey Into Encouragement, Blessing And Prophetic Gifting. The Prophetic Equipping Series is a major rewrite of Cooke’s earlier book Developing Your Prophetic Gifting; the series includes some new material not found in the earlier work.

The book contains four modules. Each module begins with teaching and closes with a practical section of reflections, exercises and assignments designed to help the reader implement some of the things that have been covered in the module.

Module one is titled “The Guidelines For Handling Prophecy.” In this module Cooke covers such subjects as inspirational prophecy, revelatory prophecy, words of correction, words of direction, interpretation of a prophetic word, application of a prophetic word, revelatory protocol, delivery of a prophetic word, the character of the prophetic person and the part that church leadership plays in overseeing prophetic ministry.

Module two is “Evaluating The Prophetic Word.” In this module Cooke teaches the importance of prophetic people being grounded in a local church, that the purpose of New Testament prophecy is to edify, exhort and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3), the need to test prophetic words to see if they conform to Scripture, glorify Jesus, or are manipulative or controlling. In this section Cooke also speaks about four different kinds of prophetic words: the now word, the confirming work, the future word and the new word.

Module three is “Handling Wrong Prophecy.” In this section Cooke looks at the issue immaturity in prophetic people, the difference between false prophecy and poor prophecy, the elements of poor prophecy, things that those who evaluate prophetic people need to take note of, and handling wrong prophecy in a public meeting.

Module four is “Workshop and Case Study.” This is a very practical section which is to be done with someone who is part of the leadership team of the church. In this section a person is to seek the Lord for a word of prophetic encouragement for a family, whom they don’t know very well, in the church. There is a step by step process that is to be followed in this exercise. The church leader is to evaluate how the prophetic person does in areas such as prophetic content, delivery and humility.

The book closes with a section of final applications. This final section includes a mediation exercise as well as some information on working with leaders.

This book is a valuable addition to the growing body of literature dealing with the prophetic. Cooke is a prophetic person, with many years of experience, and so he speaks as one who is knowledgeable in the field. He has, thus, thought through a lot of the issues that relate to the prophetic. It is clear from this book that Cooke has a number of passions: he desires that the Lord be properly represented, that is, that prophetic people truly convey the mind and heart of God, that God’s people be built up through the prophetic gift, and that the body of Christ be protected from abuses associated with the prophetic gifts. The contents of this book will go a long way in helping the church to see these things become realities.

The counsel offered in Prophecy & Responsibility will greatly help the prophetic person to grow. It will also prove to be a blessing to pastors. Pastors and church leaders who are concerned about having the prophetic in their churches will find that Cooke is a friend. He strongly advocates that prophetic people are to work with, and submit to, the local leadership of the church.

Reviewed by John Lathrop