For those of you who have been bored to tears as I have been taking you the issues I need to think through as I prepare to write my commentary on Philippians, rejoice! Your prayers have been answered. Momentary relief has arrived! On this day, July 10, my birthday, I could not make myself get through the explanation of an inverted parallel structure of Philippians.
Instead, I have been engrossed with two issues which are, so to speak, related at the hip. One is hearing the voice of God and the other is whether, as a Cautious Continuationist, I am missing out on the fulness of God’s blessing, especially in worship.
A word about my background for those who don’t know me well. Like now well-known Charismatic leaders Jack Deere and Sam Storms, I went to Dallas Theological Seminary, the bastion of Cessationism, for both my master’s and doctoral degrees. Like my fellows Jackie and Sam, I have changed my views. Unlike Drs. Deere and Storms, I have not found my way to the full Charismatic position at this time… though I remain prayerfully open.
Why am I struggling with this now? I think the Lord has sensitized me to certain things recently through trying to sort through my difficult relationship with my Dad because I have been deeply involved on working on my challenging–but definitely improving–relationship with my supremely strong-willed ADHD son. And, all this finally points back to my relationship with my heavenly Father. But, in the midst of all this, the sense that I need the power of the Paraklete to make the needed changes has been growing stronger and stronger.
Perhaps you could say that my yearning for the Lord and His insight reached “critical mass” today. I know that it is a major calculated risk to write a posting of this type. Who knows who will read it and what they will think? But, I have prayerfully placed that in the Lord’s hands. And, it’s not like I haven’t been severely criticized before for things I have penned on this blog. My skin is thicker and my heart is desiring answers. So, here goes… .
In regard to the voice of God, by background I was taught that God only speaks through the Scriptures today. And, of course, he certainly does do that, if nothing else. However, if we limit God to only what He has revealed in the Bible, there are many, many, many issues about which we would never be able to have Divine insight, simply because the issues did not exist in biblical times.
Now, it seems to me that there is a very important way in which the Scriptures function as a doctrinal safeguard, even if the voice of God–and, no, I have not read Deere’s second book, which is on this exact subject, yet–can be heard “audibly” beyond the pages of Holy Writ. Every idea or utterance claiming to be from God must be measured as to whether or not it contradicts Scripture. If it does, it must be rejected as not originating with God.
Does this approach hold water? Well, chew on this analogy. Where would we be if we said that we could only do in worship what is in the Bible–and, more specifically, in the New Testament, since we live under the New Covenant? As you probably know, at the same ridiculously inconsisent point that the Church of Christ finds itself: having no instrumental music, like what they see in the NT, but having electric lights and air conditioning in play during their services, which no one can find in Scripture. That “boat” leaks like a sieve!
My point: Since almost all other Christian groups come down on this issue by taking the view that, unless it is expressly prohibited in the NT, it is permissible, shouldn’t we see the wisdom in taking a parallel view in regard to the voice of God? It does not have to be found in Scripture to be valid, but if it contradicts Scripture in any way, it is clearly invalid.
The other part of this question for me is listening to God in prayer. Prior to very recently, I have only had those strong impressions or convictions that I was sure came from the Holy Spirit. But, recently, I have been challenged afresh to listen to His voice as I pray and meditate. I tried recently to do so flat on my face before the Lord, but fell asleep.
Yes, I am ashamed of that–even though I was very tired when I tried it! However, I am not going to quit. Prayer is part of my relationship with the Father and, unless you are a complete fool or have no close friends or relationships, you are well aware that relationships take time and effort to develop. I’m just starting to get beyond the talking, but not listening, stage… and I know He realizes my desire to make this full two-way communication and, so to speak, will graciously “cut me some slack.”
One other aspect of this subject that is challenging to me: Recently, my counselor led me through an exercise in which he asked me to listen for God’s voice. Well, being what I still think is reasonably concerned about hearing the “voice” of the flesh or the Devil, like a little kid, I just blurted out my biggest fear: “How am I going to know if it’s God’s voice?”
Well, he didn’t really answer my question and certainly did not give me a biblical basis for what happened next–which, for the old Ph.D. in theology that I am–was something of a “caution light” for me. However, as he sorted out the thoughts I was having after we prayed to hear the Lord’s voice in regard to my relationship to my son, it does seem to me quite possible that I did. And, as I noted above, there was nothing anywhere close to contrary to Scripture that emerged from that time.
Quickly moving on to introduce the other subject–I’m not going to be able to play it out fully today, because I have too much else that I must get done: Have I been missing out on the fullness of the Spirit, particularly in regard to worship?
As I was praying about what to write at this point, I was reminded (by the Spirit, I trust) of Sam Storms’ recent book, Convergence: The Spiritual Journey of a Calvinistic Charismatic. In that excellent work, Sam talks about the blessings of his two spiritual backgrounds (Cessationism and Continuationism) and how he had concluded that, for there to be a healthy spiritual balance, there needed to be a both/and emphasis in worship and the Christian life, not either/or.
What did Dr. Storms mean? Without any intent to equally offend both my non-Charismatic and Charismatic friends, Sam’s very wise and beautifully balanced point is that it should not be either an in-depth “head-knowledge’ approach to worship and Christian living, as with Cessationists, or just in-depth “heart-knowledge” of the Spirit, as with Charismatics. According to John 4:23-24: “…True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Himm must worship in spirit and truth.”
Bottom line: In at least most cases, Cessationist churches have generally got a better in-depth hold on the “truth,” which the Gospel of John later defines as Christ, the Living Word (John 14:6) and the Scriptures, the Written Word (17:17). However, it is probably also true to observe that at least some of the more balanced Charismatic churches have got a better grip on the “Spirit.”
What is my mid-stream working conclusion on this subject (at least until I open “Pandora’s box” again on Tuesday)? Cessationists desperately need Charismatics’ joy and emotional receptiveness to the Lord to balance out what often is a spiritually sterile experience with the Lord. However, Charismatics need their Cessationist brethren’s disciplined, in-depth understanding of Scripture just as much, to keep them from going to extra-biblical extremes or looking like they are stark raving mad to any unbelievers in attendance (e.g., 1 Cor. 14:23).
“Spirit” and “truth” yoked together: What a concept! But, how sadly lacking this exquisite balance is in the lives of so many believers (myself included!)–and Christ-honoring churches!
Lord, give us this wonderful balance as we seek to come to know both the Scriptures and the Spirit in more depth! In Jesus’ magnificent Name, Amen.
Coming Tuesday: More “Looking Over My Shoulder” at me seeking God’s fulness
I am glad for the respite! Also interesting thoughts on your openness to, but not complete assurance of, charismatic phenomena.
I leave the door open, but I often think that we are making much of little…in other words, most of what we see today is NOT true charisma
Andrew,
Yes, it is a mixed bag. But, when you hear the kinds of stories I do sometimes, I am quite sure that there are some instances that are completely legitimate. Just in the last week, I have talked with three people who I believe have legitimately spoken in tongues (or have a private prayer language)–two before, and one since, I wrote this post.
Blessings, Boyd
I think the real essence of an authentic “Charismatic” experience, whether or not accompanied by unknown tongues, is the realization that God can still do anything He wants, any time He wants, and that all the little negatives we’ve invented simply don’t apply to Him. Things like He’s a Gentleman, He won’t violate your free will (ask Nebuchadnezzar about that one), or He doesn’t do the overtly miraculous any more. I suppose, in the end, the less predictable God is, the less control we feel in our spiritual lives, and that’s an intimidating place to be. But one whale of a lot of fun, too.
Hang on. I have the feeling you’re in for an interesting ride.
Boyd,
There is middle ground. I do my best to stay there, but sometimes get lazy and drift toward a rigid formalism that allows us to get out quick and “on time (whatever that means)” from our worship. I have noted those whom I have pastored for 17 years who are lazy, satisfied christians tend toward the formalism and less of the Spirit-filled worship (less effort). Those who are on a quest for God tend to stay around longer and hope God will bless (more effort. I served in the Assemblies for about 13 years and found I sometimes was little more than a cheerleader. I have served So. Baptist Churches for the past 25 years (2 Churches) and have found I too frequently don’t see the joy and just plain praise and love for God from the congregation. Don’t become a cheerleader, but don’t slip into preaching class 101 form and production. Listen to the country song or read the lyrics sang by Brad Paisley titled “Alcohol.” Then read Ephesians 5:18ff. I believe the Spirit-filled life is the real version and can be more than we ever could imagine. The sweating enthusiastic Charismatic can miss God as easily as the cold formalist.
Sam
Bob,
Your Nebuchadnezzar illustration is always good to recall–the most powerful man on the face of the earth is foced to eat grass, simply because God said so. We do tend to forget that He is in control and, short of the stupid philosophical question about whether God couls create a rock too heavy for Him to lift, there is nothing He cannot do.
I am very excited to see what is going to happen!
Many thanks for your friendship and wisdom!
Boyd
Sam,
As you can tell from what I said, I do believe that there is a balanced middle ground, a “best of both worlds” on this subject. I am glad to have a friend like you who has ministered on both sides of the aisle as a spiritual advisor.
Blessings, Boyd