Renovare or Revelation, Mysticism or Mentalism:How does God Speak today?.
Recently my local television station featured a woman who risked her life to run into a raging fire and save a one-year old child. When asked if she considered herself a hero she said that she was a person of faith and that she had been walking down the street when God told her to run into the fire and save the child. She said, that people who did what God told them to did were not heroes. God got the credit. Many Christians today live this way. They interpret some impression or emotional impulse as an epiphany, and act on those impression as if they were the Word of God itself. Some would even say that the failure to act on such impulses was the equivalent of disobeying a specific biblical command. Some people would look at this woman's testimony as divine personal guidance and would consider anyone who questioned the basis for this woman's action as disobedient or hypocritical. They insist God speaks to people today. Just like he did in the Old Testament, and if Christians are not regularly hearing his voice then their faith is somehow deficient.
When I heard what this woman said I was thankful for her courageous act. I appreciated her sincere profession of faith, and her commitment to Christ But I am skeptical that the impulse she felt was God telling her to run into the fire. Her statement that people who hear the voice of God should do what he says. Does this mean that we should make important, sometimes life or death decisions, based on what we believe is a spontaneous internal impression from God?. The flaw in that statement is obvious, (at least to me, it is): where does that leave those who do not hear the voice of God? If she had not had this impulse, what would she have done? Would she have frozen unable to act, because as a Christian she did not know what God wanted her to do? If she had not had her impulse or impression, her strong emotional motivation to rush into the fire, if God had not told her to do it, would she have rescued the child? Or could God have told another Christian something different? Is it possible that God could have told them that his intention was to take the infant home to be with him and she should not interfere with him? Could God have told someone to hinder any attempted rescue attempt and let the child die? Before you say that is ludicrous? Why is her action any more credible than the Christian woman in Texas a few years ago who drowned her five children saying "God told her to do it, to save them from the evils of the world?" Most of us found that woman's actions repulsive. But If we consider certain mystical or emotional impression revelation how can we question any sincere action based on what we feel God has told us to do?
How do we know when God is leading us? Seldom a week goes by anymore that I do not read or hear of someone advocating that Christians need to be routinely hearing the voice of God to make daily life decisions. I run into just as many Christians who are paralyzed because they are waiting for some Word from God before they make a decision. We all agree that we have a God who connects with our lives, and who works internally spiritually. We also agree that to know God fully one must accept a certain degree of mystery. There is a mystical dimension to the Christian life. There have been many times in my life when God has clearly intervened and given direction. I in no way doubt that it happens. The problem is that it is more common for me to make decision without having God's full purposes revealed. The question we have to ask is which experience is normal. If we are not receiving frequent specific directions from God about choices we need to make, should we be, or does faith demand like the witness in Hebrews Chapter 11 that we walk with God trusting him for a future yet to be revealed?
It is clear that in scripture (1 Samuel 3:8 and 9; 1Kings 19:11-13)that God gives direction individually and specifically to people sometimes, and yet at time God's ways are mysterious. The question is was hearing God's voice a normal Old Testament experience for the Old Testament prophets, and does the presence of the Holy Spirit make it a normal, regular expected event in the Christian Life. It is quite clear from scripture that God leads the believer. However, the scripture cautions us about making decisions based on mystical or spiritual phenomenon alone:
Even the Old Testament believer was given a caveat (Jer 23:33-4) 33 "When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the oracle of the LORD?' say to them, 'What oracle? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.' 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household. 35 This is what each of you keeps on saying to his friend or relative: 'What is the LORD's answer?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 36 But you must not mention 'the oracle of the LORD' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: 'What is the LORD's answer to you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 38 Although you claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' this is what the LORD says: You used the words, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' even though I told you that you must not claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD.' 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your fathers. 40 I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace — everlasting shame that will not be forgotten." NIV God clearly warned against claiming to have an oracle from the Lord; in other words, hearing his voice.
The new covenant Chritian is told to examine any experience (1 John 4:1-3) 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. NIV
The scripture give as stern warnings about making decision based on a mystical impression alone. There is danger when we act on what we think is God's voice. We will never fully know Him, though he fully knows us. We also recognize, that the Lord is our shepherd he promises to lead us. It is appropriate to seek his guidance, but much confusion has arisen recently. Since the publication of Henry Blackaby's EXPERIENCING GOD, there has been a great deal of confusion about just what divine revelation is. Blackaby uses very poor methods of interpretation in his book to lead people to very false conclusions. One example: is his view that God guides the Christian to join him by revealing himself in the believer's experience. He say the Bible says God reveals himself today the same way he did in the Old Testament :therefore, to know his will we need only to "look for what he does, and join him." His proof text is: Hebrews 1:1 "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways," NIV He bases his entire view of revelation on this verse. He concludes God spoke in various ways in the past; God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow: we can expect him to speak to us in a variety of ways, not only through the Bible, but in our experience as well. The problem is Blackaby's use of this text, reveals the speciousness of what he is saying.. The very next word in the text contrast they way God revealed himself before Christ with the way he does after. The very next word is "but." Hebrews 1:2-3 "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." NIV
Even a casual reading of the text makes it obvious that the passage is saying that the completed work of Christ, and the giving of the Word of God means God reveals himself in different ways then he did before when he revealed himself at various times and various ways. There is no other way to interpret this text. Unfortunately, Blackaby's blatant disregard for the context of the passage destroys his credibility. No where are we taught to look for what is doing and join him.
There are some thoughts that Blackaby gets right, though. He is correct when he says, the names of God in the Old Testament are descriptions of people's experience with God, as is much of the Word of God itself. The Christian life is not to be stodgy and esoteric. We can and should be experiencing God and we can expect him to guide us daily. There is both a cognitive and a mystical side to the Christian faith and when we engage God there is seldom a day that goes by that we are not enlightened by him, not a day goes by that we are not lead further toward his perfect plan. Yet at the same time the Christian life is full of mystery, unknown. There is a tension between the mystical and cognitive side of the faith.
When it comes to day to day decision making the problem is that we ask the wrong question. God does not guide us to information. Revelation is not a matter of knowing what to do. God always guide us to a deeper understanding of Him and he promises to lead us into further knowledge of him. When we know who he is we then know what to believe and how to behave. When it comes to divine personal guidance Jesus said it, is not what you know but whom you know.
[19] The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:19-24 ESV) When the woman at the well realized that Jesus was a prophet she asked an interesting question: "Was her experience with God as a Samaritan, somehow superior to the Jews. Did God speak on the mountain or in the temple. "How does God speak?What is the right way to worship?” Jesus tells her she is asking the wrong question. The question we need to ask is not how do we worship, but whom do we worship.”. [24] God is spirit,…,”
The essence of experiencing God is more encountering the person of God, than knowing what class to take next term. He is not encountered in buildings, mountains or particular experiences. He is found ” … in spirit and truth,” There is an internal subjective side to worship as well as a propositional, objective side. The two always go together. The problem comes when we begin to separate them into separate realms.
Unfortunately Christians tend to divide themselves into two camps: those who believe God is discovered and known only in the objective and measurable, cognitive and those who believe, he is only discovered in the mystical. There are those who spend a life time studying and writing theology, because they believe he can be fully known there. Then there are those who do not believe they can encounter God unless they seek something beyond the objective and created realm. And yet what the scripture tells us is he will never be fully known, though he will at some point fully know us: [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV) Our problem is that in both a fallen and a finite world none of us has complete knowledge, or a complete spiritual experience nor will we until the last day. When any of us defines our particular way and form of knowing truth and experiencing the spirit as the complete truth or as revelatory are we then debating which mountain we worship on rather than whom to worship?
The only people who have ever encountered God fully in both the propositional and the spiritual realm are the apostles: [1:1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—[2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—[3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:1-4 ESV) When they realized that Jesus was leaving they grieved for what they would miss in his absence, and wanted to hold on to him, and apprehend him: But Jesus said he was not leaving them without the ability to know him in spirit and in truth, [18] “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:18-20 ESV). He said that they will continue to love him through the obedience to his commandments. In other words, As they live out the truth of the gospel, the life of the spirit will be enriched. But what is the truth that we live out?
He says he is going to continue to be with them through what the Spirit teaches them : [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:26-27 ESV) Blakaby and others take this as a statement, that at various times the Spirit will give any believer, who has the Spirit, the truth they need to make the decision at that moment. The problem with that view is that he is addressing the disciples. The people he refers to as "you" in 14:22 are the same people whose question he answers in verses 23-25. John 14:25 25 "All this I have spoken while still with you."NIV He is answering the disciples' question about what they are to do in his absence.
But doesn't all scripture, even that addressed to apostles have application to us? Of course it does, the passage applies to us today. But it is context that helps us understand how it applies to us. Jesus wasn't telling the disciple how they were to know whether to go back to fishing. It is not talking about how Christians going forward will be lead to make decisions, rather, how we know his presence in our experience. Peace and direction in our lives comes through the truth he would give the twelve, not through his physical presence with them, engaging their experience.. We experience him through the truth he will give these disciples. That Peace will come to them {the disciples) as the Spirit leads them into truth. In other, words it is the Spirit lead truth given to the apostles that is the source of a life of peace because it is the source that alone leads us to the One who can only be known in both spirit and truth.
Then where is the truth the Spirit gave the apostles that leads us into a life of peace? Speaking again of the difference between the world’s perspective on worship and God’s Paul says there is a revelation God has given him and co-authors which will lead one to Him: [6] Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 ESV) The spirit of God delivered a revelation to him in words: [11] For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:11-12 ESV) Which, they the apostles then give to us: [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV) God gives Paul words that interpret the Spirit to us. However, even these words are not enough. Anyone can read these words, but not everyone can comprehend them in a way that brings them into the presence and purposes of God. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) The truth must be enlivened through the Spirit to the spirit. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
When the word of God guides and directs the life of a spiritual man or woman. They have the mind of Christ, and their thoughts are the very thoughts of Christ. It is by his word In cooperation with the spirit that we “discern.:” how to live, or as some translations say, “appraise all things." God has spoken and he does speak today. The word of God in conjunction with Spirit is what leads us.
When King Saul was trying to determine what God would have him do. He was not told to "look for what God was doing and join him." God told Saul to pursue the purposes of his anointing: [6] Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. [7] Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (1 Samuel 10:6-7 ESV) When God is leading us through the prophetic truth of his word the Spirit is so at work in our mind that most of the time we can do “ whatever our hands finds to do” and know God is leading us to do it. We do no have to seek specific direction. What God has given is enough for us to know what to do. As Peter said: [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)
When you combine his redemptive power in the Spirit with his revealed truth you have all you need to live a godly life. In other Words it is the Spirit working through our lives and the Word of God that guides us. God may not clearly tell you what college to go to, what model car to buy, how to teach your children, but he gives you enough truth that you are capable of making a godly life decision and living at peace with him. Experience may confirm or affirm the direction we are going strengthening our faith, but experience by itself is never revelatory. We do not need to “hear God’s voice” to know what car to buy, or whom to marry, or what job to take. Through the inspired Word of God and the Spirit working in our lives we have all the resources we need to live a godly life that will lead us to a peace that the world can never give us in the Spirit lead illumination of the Word of God.
This in no way means that the Christian life is cold and static and that God does not often and repeatedly intersect with our experience. It does not deny the reality of he mystical. The Bible clearly describes the godly life as being rich in experience. I am not one who believes that Christian mysticism began with Karl Barth in 1947. Some argue that the writings of the apostle John are “mystical.” Origen was 2nd Century Christian mystic. There are many example of a healthy pietistic Christian tradition—Zizendorf, Menno Simmons. The modern Pentecostal movement in a reaction to the sometimes stodgy experience of fundamentalism .God by definition is mysterious. Therefore one cannot engage God without to some degree being affected by His wonder and mystery. Some degree of mysticism has to be part of spiritual experience. I have had many experiences where God has guided me in mysterious ways. God clearly spoke to people in the Old Testament. However, even in the Old Testament those experiences are not presented as typical. And the New Testament clearly teaches that in the New Testament era, at least, experience is not revelation: [1:1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)
Experience is useful when it draws us deeper into connection with the Divine. Experience does not provide the wisdom for divine direction. Standing alone experience or mysticism is never revelatory. Principles are not contained in experience itself. Several years ago I went to my doctor because I was having trouble swallowing. He did a battery of test and sent me to specialist. The specialist asked me many questions, did a thorough examination, and responded to result of the testing my primary care provider had done. I will never forget. That was not enough for him!!! He still ordered more testing. Although my gastroenterologist was “99% certain based on 30 years practicing medicine and the information provided by my primary care physician that I had acid reflux disease, he understood he could be 100% sincere based on valid experience and be 100%wrong. And he wanted to get it right for the sake of my life.
Anyone can be absolutely certain that God has spoken to them because of some experience, and yet be totally deceived. I have seen many people who have been absolutely convinced that “God was speaking to them,” and seen them make decisions that were destructive or evil. Spiritual experience without objective validation is deceptive. The danger is that like Ephesus in the time of Timothy there are also spiritual forces at work that are competing for our attention and are seeking to lead us away from the truth into the kind of peace the world gives which is fleeting and circumstantial and even destructive. . [4:1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [3] who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV) Satan is crafty and often deceives by leading people to believe that evil is good. Spiritual reality can be counterfeited [14] And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV)
When making decisions what we need is not the voice of God. He has spoken. What we need is discernment when we experience strange phenomena: There are a few caveats in scripture about experience. First one’s character and life style can affect one’s decision making ability. How one lives affects one’s ability to discern truth [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 ESV) If we trust God we can be confident he will guide us [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV) When encountering the mysterious we are to test whether our impression are consistent profession and confession of Christ as Lord [4:1] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:1-3 ESV)
If one has any degree of uncertainty about the significance of experience they are to be submitted to the control of the prophets. First Corinthians 14 is about how we discern the experience people have in worship. I think a key caveat in the passage is [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, [32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, (1 Corinthians 14:31-33 ESV) Spiritual experience is to be discerned under the auspices of the prophetic gift. Those who are oriented toward teaching and preaching of the Word are to put boundaries on experience so as not to confuse. We are to bring our experience to the discerning and say what you think.
It is healthy to seek to worship God both in spirit and in in truth. My disagreement with the some modern mystics is when they elevate “hearing the voice of God” to the level of a spiritual discipline that needs to be part of the regular practice of godliness. Scripture no where teaches that since Elijah heard a “still small voice, or Samuel heard God call him three times we need to be having the same experience. As a matter of fact the historical setting to both those experiences relate them as being unusual or abnormal. The scripture does not present those types of pursuits as being “disciplines,” that lead to godliness. Rather all that I see is warnings to be careful. I make no attempt to hinder the Spirit’s activity in my life, and he has on many occasions guided and directed my path in marvelously and mysterious experience, but my life judgments and decision are always guided by a careful examination of the Word of God and the counsel of God’s people.
When I heard what this woman said I was thankful for her courageous act. I appreciated her sincere profession of faith, and her commitment to Christ But I am skeptical that the impulse she felt was God telling her to run into the fire. Her statement that people who hear the voice of God should do what he says. Does this mean that we should make important, sometimes life or death decisions, based on what we believe is a spontaneous internal impression from God?. The flaw in that statement is obvious, (at least to me, it is): where does that leave those who do not hear the voice of God? If she had not had this impulse, what would she have done? Would she have frozen unable to act, because as a Christian she did not know what God wanted her to do? If she had not had her impulse or impression, her strong emotional motivation to rush into the fire, if God had not told her to do it, would she have rescued the child? Or could God have told another Christian something different? Is it possible that God could have told them that his intention was to take the infant home to be with him and she should not interfere with him? Could God have told someone to hinder any attempted rescue attempt and let the child die? Before you say that is ludicrous? Why is her action any more credible than the Christian woman in Texas a few years ago who drowned her five children saying "God told her to do it, to save them from the evils of the world?" Most of us found that woman's actions repulsive. But If we consider certain mystical or emotional impression revelation how can we question any sincere action based on what we feel God has told us to do?
How do we know when God is leading us? Seldom a week goes by anymore that I do not read or hear of someone advocating that Christians need to be routinely hearing the voice of God to make daily life decisions. I run into just as many Christians who are paralyzed because they are waiting for some Word from God before they make a decision. We all agree that we have a God who connects with our lives, and who works internally spiritually. We also agree that to know God fully one must accept a certain degree of mystery. There is a mystical dimension to the Christian life. There have been many times in my life when God has clearly intervened and given direction. I in no way doubt that it happens. The problem is that it is more common for me to make decision without having God's full purposes revealed. The question we have to ask is which experience is normal. If we are not receiving frequent specific directions from God about choices we need to make, should we be, or does faith demand like the witness in Hebrews Chapter 11 that we walk with God trusting him for a future yet to be revealed?
It is clear that in scripture (1 Samuel 3:8 and 9; 1Kings 19:11-13)that God gives direction individually and specifically to people sometimes, and yet at time God's ways are mysterious. The question is was hearing God's voice a normal Old Testament experience for the Old Testament prophets, and does the presence of the Holy Spirit make it a normal, regular expected event in the Christian Life. It is quite clear from scripture that God leads the believer. However, the scripture cautions us about making decisions based on mystical or spiritual phenomenon alone:
Even the Old Testament believer was given a caveat (Jer 23:33-4) 33 "When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the oracle of the LORD?' say to them, 'What oracle? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.' 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household. 35 This is what each of you keeps on saying to his friend or relative: 'What is the LORD's answer?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 36 But you must not mention 'the oracle of the LORD' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: 'What is the LORD's answer to you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 38 Although you claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' this is what the LORD says: You used the words, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' even though I told you that you must not claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD.' 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your fathers. 40 I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace — everlasting shame that will not be forgotten." NIV God clearly warned against claiming to have an oracle from the Lord; in other words, hearing his voice.
The new covenant Chritian is told to examine any experience (1 John 4:1-3) 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. NIV
The scripture give as stern warnings about making decision based on a mystical impression alone. There is danger when we act on what we think is God's voice. We will never fully know Him, though he fully knows us. We also recognize, that the Lord is our shepherd he promises to lead us. It is appropriate to seek his guidance, but much confusion has arisen recently. Since the publication of Henry Blackaby's EXPERIENCING GOD, there has been a great deal of confusion about just what divine revelation is. Blackaby uses very poor methods of interpretation in his book to lead people to very false conclusions. One example: is his view that God guides the Christian to join him by revealing himself in the believer's experience. He say the Bible says God reveals himself today the same way he did in the Old Testament :therefore, to know his will we need only to "look for what he does, and join him." His proof text is: Hebrews 1:1 "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways," NIV He bases his entire view of revelation on this verse. He concludes God spoke in various ways in the past; God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow: we can expect him to speak to us in a variety of ways, not only through the Bible, but in our experience as well. The problem is Blackaby's use of this text, reveals the speciousness of what he is saying.. The very next word in the text contrast they way God revealed himself before Christ with the way he does after. The very next word is "but." Hebrews 1:2-3 "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." NIV
Even a casual reading of the text makes it obvious that the passage is saying that the completed work of Christ, and the giving of the Word of God means God reveals himself in different ways then he did before when he revealed himself at various times and various ways. There is no other way to interpret this text. Unfortunately, Blackaby's blatant disregard for the context of the passage destroys his credibility. No where are we taught to look for what is doing and join him.
There are some thoughts that Blackaby gets right, though. He is correct when he says, the names of God in the Old Testament are descriptions of people's experience with God, as is much of the Word of God itself. The Christian life is not to be stodgy and esoteric. We can and should be experiencing God and we can expect him to guide us daily. There is both a cognitive and a mystical side to the Christian faith and when we engage God there is seldom a day that goes by that we are not enlightened by him, not a day goes by that we are not lead further toward his perfect plan. Yet at the same time the Christian life is full of mystery, unknown. There is a tension between the mystical and cognitive side of the faith.
When it comes to day to day decision making the problem is that we ask the wrong question. God does not guide us to information. Revelation is not a matter of knowing what to do. God always guide us to a deeper understanding of Him and he promises to lead us into further knowledge of him. When we know who he is we then know what to believe and how to behave. When it comes to divine personal guidance Jesus said it, is not what you know but whom you know.
[19] The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:19-24 ESV) When the woman at the well realized that Jesus was a prophet she asked an interesting question: "Was her experience with God as a Samaritan, somehow superior to the Jews. Did God speak on the mountain or in the temple. "How does God speak?What is the right way to worship?” Jesus tells her she is asking the wrong question. The question we need to ask is not how do we worship, but whom do we worship.”. [24] God is spirit,…,”
The essence of experiencing God is more encountering the person of God, than knowing what class to take next term. He is not encountered in buildings, mountains or particular experiences. He is found ” … in spirit and truth,” There is an internal subjective side to worship as well as a propositional, objective side. The two always go together. The problem comes when we begin to separate them into separate realms.
Unfortunately Christians tend to divide themselves into two camps: those who believe God is discovered and known only in the objective and measurable, cognitive and those who believe, he is only discovered in the mystical. There are those who spend a life time studying and writing theology, because they believe he can be fully known there. Then there are those who do not believe they can encounter God unless they seek something beyond the objective and created realm. And yet what the scripture tells us is he will never be fully known, though he will at some point fully know us: [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV) Our problem is that in both a fallen and a finite world none of us has complete knowledge, or a complete spiritual experience nor will we until the last day. When any of us defines our particular way and form of knowing truth and experiencing the spirit as the complete truth or as revelatory are we then debating which mountain we worship on rather than whom to worship?
The only people who have ever encountered God fully in both the propositional and the spiritual realm are the apostles: [1:1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—[2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—[3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:1-4 ESV) When they realized that Jesus was leaving they grieved for what they would miss in his absence, and wanted to hold on to him, and apprehend him: But Jesus said he was not leaving them without the ability to know him in spirit and in truth, [18] “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:18-20 ESV). He said that they will continue to love him through the obedience to his commandments. In other words, As they live out the truth of the gospel, the life of the spirit will be enriched. But what is the truth that we live out?
He says he is going to continue to be with them through what the Spirit teaches them : [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:26-27 ESV) Blakaby and others take this as a statement, that at various times the Spirit will give any believer, who has the Spirit, the truth they need to make the decision at that moment. The problem with that view is that he is addressing the disciples. The people he refers to as "you" in 14:22 are the same people whose question he answers in verses 23-25. John 14:25 25 "All this I have spoken while still with you."NIV He is answering the disciples' question about what they are to do in his absence.
But doesn't all scripture, even that addressed to apostles have application to us? Of course it does, the passage applies to us today. But it is context that helps us understand how it applies to us. Jesus wasn't telling the disciple how they were to know whether to go back to fishing. It is not talking about how Christians going forward will be lead to make decisions, rather, how we know his presence in our experience. Peace and direction in our lives comes through the truth he would give the twelve, not through his physical presence with them, engaging their experience.. We experience him through the truth he will give these disciples. That Peace will come to them {the disciples) as the Spirit leads them into truth. In other, words it is the Spirit lead truth given to the apostles that is the source of a life of peace because it is the source that alone leads us to the One who can only be known in both spirit and truth.
Then where is the truth the Spirit gave the apostles that leads us into a life of peace? Speaking again of the difference between the world’s perspective on worship and God’s Paul says there is a revelation God has given him and co-authors which will lead one to Him: [6] Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 ESV) The spirit of God delivered a revelation to him in words: [11] For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:11-12 ESV) Which, they the apostles then give to us: [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV) God gives Paul words that interpret the Spirit to us. However, even these words are not enough. Anyone can read these words, but not everyone can comprehend them in a way that brings them into the presence and purposes of God. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) The truth must be enlivened through the Spirit to the spirit. [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
When the word of God guides and directs the life of a spiritual man or woman. They have the mind of Christ, and their thoughts are the very thoughts of Christ. It is by his word In cooperation with the spirit that we “discern.:” how to live, or as some translations say, “appraise all things." God has spoken and he does speak today. The word of God in conjunction with Spirit is what leads us.
When King Saul was trying to determine what God would have him do. He was not told to "look for what God was doing and join him." God told Saul to pursue the purposes of his anointing: [6] Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. [7] Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (1 Samuel 10:6-7 ESV) When God is leading us through the prophetic truth of his word the Spirit is so at work in our mind that most of the time we can do “ whatever our hands finds to do” and know God is leading us to do it. We do no have to seek specific direction. What God has given is enough for us to know what to do. As Peter said: [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)
When you combine his redemptive power in the Spirit with his revealed truth you have all you need to live a godly life. In other Words it is the Spirit working through our lives and the Word of God that guides us. God may not clearly tell you what college to go to, what model car to buy, how to teach your children, but he gives you enough truth that you are capable of making a godly life decision and living at peace with him. Experience may confirm or affirm the direction we are going strengthening our faith, but experience by itself is never revelatory. We do not need to “hear God’s voice” to know what car to buy, or whom to marry, or what job to take. Through the inspired Word of God and the Spirit working in our lives we have all the resources we need to live a godly life that will lead us to a peace that the world can never give us in the Spirit lead illumination of the Word of God.
This in no way means that the Christian life is cold and static and that God does not often and repeatedly intersect with our experience. It does not deny the reality of he mystical. The Bible clearly describes the godly life as being rich in experience. I am not one who believes that Christian mysticism began with Karl Barth in 1947. Some argue that the writings of the apostle John are “mystical.” Origen was 2nd Century Christian mystic. There are many example of a healthy pietistic Christian tradition—Zizendorf, Menno Simmons. The modern Pentecostal movement in a reaction to the sometimes stodgy experience of fundamentalism .God by definition is mysterious. Therefore one cannot engage God without to some degree being affected by His wonder and mystery. Some degree of mysticism has to be part of spiritual experience. I have had many experiences where God has guided me in mysterious ways. God clearly spoke to people in the Old Testament. However, even in the Old Testament those experiences are not presented as typical. And the New Testament clearly teaches that in the New Testament era, at least, experience is not revelation: [1:1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)
Experience is useful when it draws us deeper into connection with the Divine. Experience does not provide the wisdom for divine direction. Standing alone experience or mysticism is never revelatory. Principles are not contained in experience itself. Several years ago I went to my doctor because I was having trouble swallowing. He did a battery of test and sent me to specialist. The specialist asked me many questions, did a thorough examination, and responded to result of the testing my primary care provider had done. I will never forget. That was not enough for him!!! He still ordered more testing. Although my gastroenterologist was “99% certain based on 30 years practicing medicine and the information provided by my primary care physician that I had acid reflux disease, he understood he could be 100% sincere based on valid experience and be 100%wrong. And he wanted to get it right for the sake of my life.
Anyone can be absolutely certain that God has spoken to them because of some experience, and yet be totally deceived. I have seen many people who have been absolutely convinced that “God was speaking to them,” and seen them make decisions that were destructive or evil. Spiritual experience without objective validation is deceptive. The danger is that like Ephesus in the time of Timothy there are also spiritual forces at work that are competing for our attention and are seeking to lead us away from the truth into the kind of peace the world gives which is fleeting and circumstantial and even destructive. . [4:1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [3] who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV) Satan is crafty and often deceives by leading people to believe that evil is good. Spiritual reality can be counterfeited [14] And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV)
When making decisions what we need is not the voice of God. He has spoken. What we need is discernment when we experience strange phenomena: There are a few caveats in scripture about experience. First one’s character and life style can affect one’s decision making ability. How one lives affects one’s ability to discern truth [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 ESV) If we trust God we can be confident he will guide us [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV) When encountering the mysterious we are to test whether our impression are consistent profession and confession of Christ as Lord [4:1] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:1-3 ESV)
If one has any degree of uncertainty about the significance of experience they are to be submitted to the control of the prophets. First Corinthians 14 is about how we discern the experience people have in worship. I think a key caveat in the passage is [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, [32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, (1 Corinthians 14:31-33 ESV) Spiritual experience is to be discerned under the auspices of the prophetic gift. Those who are oriented toward teaching and preaching of the Word are to put boundaries on experience so as not to confuse. We are to bring our experience to the discerning and say what you think.
It is healthy to seek to worship God both in spirit and in in truth. My disagreement with the some modern mystics is when they elevate “hearing the voice of God” to the level of a spiritual discipline that needs to be part of the regular practice of godliness. Scripture no where teaches that since Elijah heard a “still small voice, or Samuel heard God call him three times we need to be having the same experience. As a matter of fact the historical setting to both those experiences relate them as being unusual or abnormal. The scripture does not present those types of pursuits as being “disciplines,” that lead to godliness. Rather all that I see is warnings to be careful. I make no attempt to hinder the Spirit’s activity in my life, and he has on many occasions guided and directed my path in marvelously and mysterious experience, but my life judgments and decision are always guided by a careful examination of the Word of God and the counsel of God’s people.
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