Combining images from two different sports is a difficult. Baseball’s “three strikes and out” derives from the pitcher staring down the batter. The options are simple. After four balls (or hit by a pitch), the batter takes first base. If the batter puts the ball in play, he may safely reach base or be thrown out. Or, after three strikes, the batter is out and exits the batter’s box to return to the dugout. The batter is awarded two strikes and as many foul balls as needed. Once the third strike is called, his bat is over, at least for the moment.
On the other hand basketball’s “one and done” is a recent development. Since the NBA has age regulations, potential NBA players must spend at least one year developing their skills at the college level. Under the old rules players had to play three years in college before moving on to the pros, allowing college teams to build a cohesive dynasty. Today, numerous college teams recruit blue-chip players who only want to go pro. They play one year in college before declaring for the draft, thus for a college career, they’re “one and done.”
Finding a connection between “three strikes and out” with “one and done” will not be found in the sporting arena but in the biblical world. No doubt, it will be found in a most unlikely place.
As Moses was delivering the second of three speeches/sermons, as the Israelites were standing in the corridor of the Promised Land. The majority of the Israelites were not part of the Exodus and did not remember receiving the Law at Sinai. The three speeches of Deuteronomy were Moses’ farewell address. He not only reviewed the Law for them but also reinterpreted the Law for a new generation of Israelites embarking on conquering Canaan.
In the middle of the second speech (Dt. 18:14-22) Moses begins talking about prophets. He references a coming prophet who will be like him (Dt. 18:15a), with the call to “listen to him” echoing through the ages (18:15b), making the Christian reader think of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mt. 17:5; Mk. 9:7; Lk. 9:35).
Then Moses pivots and gives a warning about the false prophets who will rise up in Israel. He knows they’re coming and he wants safeguards in place to protect his flock from being led astray. The simple distinction between a true prophet and a false prophet is the outcome of their prophecy. If the prophet predicts destruction and it fails to happen, he/she is a liar. If the prophet foresees success only to find devastation, he/she is a charlatan (Dt. 18:21-22). The severity of falsely predicting events is swift and sure. Instead of entertaining the prophet, Moses is intolerant of their fear-mongering. No “three strikes and out,” they’re given a “one and done” opportunity. One lie is the limit. The reaction is simple. In an attempt to keep them from leading Israel astray, put that false prophets to death (Dt. 18:20b).
Jesus assures us that false prophets are part of the system in a fallen world (see Mk. 13:5-8). They’ve been here before and they’ll be here again. They’re ongoing presence, though, does not mean we have to listen to them. We listen to Jesus. The key is not that they’re simply wrong in their prediction, but that they evoke God’s name in the process, claiming that God has revealed the future to them. So when we find their God-given prediction wrong, we cut the relationship strings. We silence their voices.
In my adult life these “prophets” have been plenty. In the summer of 1987 a group of people, invoking God’s name, claimed that Jesus was returning that year. He didn’t. They moved the goal posts to a future date only for that day to come and go like any other day. Yet the group seemingly lost no credibility. Or, on the threshold of the turn of the century, the rage was the Y2K scare. Granted, the question about computers being able to calculate the year “2000” was a good question to ask. However, some religious leaders exploited the fear, and representing God to the world, foresaw a world-wide financial crisis and meltdown. When life went on as usual, those religious leaders lost no credibility as people continued listening to them. Or, a televangelist blows the “Spirit of God” on the camera, like he’s blowing on you through the TV screen, claiming COVID is over and defeated only for it to claim over 300,000 more American lives, should raise serious credibility questions, but it doesn’t. Such behavior reeks of an opportunist seeking fame and fortune as people still tune in like they were sheep without a shepherd.
The list of blatant false prophets is far longer than a single scroll containing the words of Scripture, for as the Hebrews’ writer says, “I do not have the time to tell about . . . “ (Heb. 11:32b). We don’t have the time.
So when church leaders rise and begin invoking God’s name to predict what never unfolds, it’s time for the church to step up. In order to avoid being manipulated, let’s stop playing by the baseball rules and start embracing basketball rule. For it’s not our tolerance at stake, it’s God’s credibility.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)