The Prophet of Carmel

by Charles B. Garside

"The Prophet of Carmel" is a profound and detailed exploration of the life and spiritual legacy of the biblical prophet Elijah. Written by the Reverend Charles B. Garside, this work delves into the dramatic events of the Old Testament, focusing on Elijah's zealous defense of monotheism against the spread of Baal worship in ancient Israel. The narrative centers on the historical and symbolic significance of Mount Carmel, where Elijah's faith was most powerfully manifested.

Through a careful analysis of the scriptural accounts, Garside illuminates the prophet's character, from his miraculous interventions and ascetic lifestyle to his profound moments of solitude and divine encounter. The book examines the theological weight of Elijah's mission, his relationship with King Ahab and Jezebel, and his enduring influence on both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Rev. Garside brings a scholarly yet devotional perspective to the subject, making the ancient world of the prophets accessible to a modern audience. This work is an essential read for students of biblical biography, Catholic theology, and the history of the prophetic office, offering timeless insights into the nature of faith and divine providence.

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Genres: Catholic, Biography

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophet Elias is one of the most mysterious of the Old Testament Prophets. Very little is known of him outside the Books of Kings. He is still alive, taken away in a fiery chariot to terrestrial paradise, waiting for his return at the end of time to fight the Antichrist - and die - before the second coming of Christ. He is THE man of fidelity to the Divine Law in face of universal apostasy, an example very relevant to our times.

Fr. Charles Garside wrote a wonderful biography and spiritual meditation about this Prophet of Carmel. He shows the character of the prophet who was so full of zeal for the cause of God that he sent a terrible drought over apostate Israel, personally beheaded more than 400 priests of Baal, and called down fire from heaven upon the haughty troops of King Ahab and his harlot queen, Jezebel.

"With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant: they have destroyed thy altars, they have slain thy prophets with the sword, and I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it away." 1 Kings 19:14

Many modern observers, in the pride of their "political correctness," often disdain the zeal of the prophets of the Old Testament or the Saints of the Catholic Church in the New. Fr. Garside answers this objection (p. 135-136):

"The conduct of Elias in putting the idolatrous Baalites to the sword has been condemned by certain skeptical critics as an act of unnecessary cruelty—as a barbarism utterly indefensible on any enlightened principles. To this observation no farther reply is necessary here than that the prophet acted under the inspiration of that God Who had in the case of the drought made the elements obey his prayer, and had just before put an additional seal to his divine authority by the miraculous descent of fire upon Carmel. 

But this calumny upon the character of Elias suggests to us a reflection : they who are zealous for the cause of God must be prepared for unjust accusations; they will be attacked by enemies, and often misunderstood by friends ; they will be called under certain circumstances hard and cruel, when in reality their apparent severity is but the rough side of a justly indignant love—the love of God. Holy zeal is often mistaken for pride, when it is one of the fruits of humility : they who have it appear, on the surface, to be arbitrary and exacting, whereas none are less so, for they have dethroned and crushed self in order to make room in their hearts for the cause which they have embraced and represent, and which through them demands its rights. 

When zealous men are accused of egoism and of making themselves too prominent, what is the true explanation ? Is it not this ?—they walk vigorously and the imprint of their footmarks is strong : they are full of energy and fire, and as they move along their own individual form is necessarily brought out distinctly into view ; for no matter how much they try to keep in the shade, they cannot escape the illumination reflected upon them by the pure light of their good works. Zeal is called obstinacy by those whose crime is that they are themselves wanting in firmness or principle, and a righteous wrath is stigmatized by the tepid as an intemperate outburst of human passion when, if there be excitement, it is but the natural quivering of the moral arrow as it speeds rapidly to its mark, under the sacred impulse of duty."