Does God speak?
I am really wanting to know if it can be my normal experience to have God speaking to me in an extra-biblical way. This is something Christians obviously don’t agree about. I came in here this morning and was reading Amy’s blog and was Totally THRILLED to discover a link to a John Piper article about God speaking to him. Turns out he was “only” talking about the Bible, and he doesn’t seem to have much faith in extra-biblical revelation at all. I was highly disappointed.
Doesn’t the Bible testify to direct communication from God to us? What about “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” It seems to have been Jesus’ normal experience, at any rate. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…”
If Piper is right, then how can anyone hope to be led by the Spirit of God?
Elizabeth wrote:
Quite so!!
I thought I was the only one out there completely disappointed in Piper’s article.
Thanks for being brave enough to speak up!
You can read my thoughts about Piper’s article on my own blog. http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com
Hope you leave a comment!
Cheerio!
Posted on 25-Mar-07 at 9:55 am | Permalink
Adrian Warnock wrote:
You missed the point. Piper is in favor of extrabiblical communication, he just beleives they should be tested by teh bible and do not surpass the experiecne of God available in the bible. Do come and join the conversation at my blog - it is getting interesting:-
http://www.adrian.warnock.info/2007/03/john-piper-hears-voice-of-god.htm
Posted on 25-Mar-07 at 12:50 pm | Permalink
Jkemouse wrote:
I don’t think that Piper was voting for exclusively Biblical revelation either. I took him to be promoting the power of Scripture to speak to us. I think He was calling for us to recognize that the Spirit of God wants to be actively involved in our reading of Scripture and that He can really speak through it. I took Piper to be promoting a “mystical” reading of the Word in which Christ takes the written word and does truly say it to us in an “extrabiblical” way.
Posted on 25-Mar-07 at 2:21 pm | Permalink
dbh wrote:
You know, I think you are right. Piper is telling us how incredible and personal the words of God in the Bible can be to us. I read it again and saw it more clearly. But the jab at the professor seemed a bit out of line, nevertheless. I read the prof’s story and it really is quite amazing, but I can understand Piper’s concern of not wanting to normalize or exalt personal private communication over the inspired word in the Bible. I was talking to my friend Paul this evening and he reminded me about Willard’s “Hearing God.” I’m going to pick that up again and see what he has to say about communications from God.
Posted on 25-Mar-07 at 10:41 pm | Permalink
Elva wrote:
In these last days, hearing from God will not be an option. Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice. Also, I sense that is a large part of what Jesus was showing when he gave the account at the judgement of God saying I know you not. Yes, fellowship with God does include hearing from Him. This kind of fellowship is what makes life. Keep seeking HIm and yoou will find the jewwl without price.
Posted on 14-Apr-07 at 8:13 am | Permalink