Old Dog V

Back to: Where are the Watchmen? (or A Draft Notice)

Does God Speak?

Bob Neuman, 01/25/1998

For years now there has been a debate within this thing called the ‘church’ about whether certain things are of God, or not. One of these areas of contention has been the area loosely labeled as “The Prophetic.” I cannot use the term discussion any longer because over the last few years all attempts at civility have been dropped it seems. In the last few weeks I have seen a new gladiator in the rhetorical arena that is most disturbing.

At one time the issue solely was based on the content of the verbal “utterance” or the written “prophecy.” And most mature Christians could “judge” according to the scriptures as the Bereans did in Act 3:17. In fact Paul’s writings make a point that we are all required to judge everything against the “Word.” And as time has passed an interesting series of “litmus” tests began to spring up.

Instead of seeing whether the content lined up with scripture, the level of critique changed. Instead of pointing out scriptural error the “Defenders of the Faith” began to point out errors in spelling and punctuation. Grammatical errors and typos were dug up and “brought to light.” The area of debate changed from what he said, to how he said it. Style and rhythm of delivery was more important that the message itself.

So often the message was “lost”.

The next area they centered on was the “Messenger.” The message was ignored as the delivery system’s conduit was dissected. The importance of what was said mattered little if the messenger did not fit the criteria. And the can of worms got bigger. What is the “Reputation” of this individual? What is their title, position, education, affiliation, age, sex, appearance… So eventually the messenger was “killed.”

And foolish me I thought they could now go no farther. The message was lost; the messenger was “killed”. The only one left was the Master, the source of the message. In my mind there was no way they could negate GOD. But it has not stopped them from trying.

In the last few weeks I have had passed on to me several statements that left me quite amazed. One individual simply stated that all “extra-biblical” writings were of Satan. Simple statement on his part, no words minced so to speak. Another biblical scholar was a little wordier but basically said all inspiration has ceased on the compiling of present canon. Therefore there is no further need for GOD to add to what is presently in the BIBLE. To say that any work has been “inspired” is an attempt to expand the BIBLE. Any effort to add to or to expand upon canon is not of God. One older gentleman simply declared that no man has the right to say he speaks for GOD. That is true if we are attempting to replace GOD, but we are not.

The problem that this older gentleman must deal with is whether GOD chooses to speak through man. He and those who have stood on these positions have painted themselves into a very curious corner. No longer are they content with discrediting the message. Assaulting the messenger did not solve the problem. Now they must deal with the source and this becomes interesting.

At this point I could argue using the simple text of the scripture. But what good would or will it do. To get to their position they have had to trample and ignore the Word of God repeatedly. To arrive at their destination that GOD no longer does what God always did we must accept the fact that GOD has changed. In spite of His Own Words in the Bible.

Yet in this “Quantum Leap” they have made there is a unique paradox created. Their argument of whether GOD does or does not speak today to His people has been expanded to the simple level of “inspiration.” GOD no longer inspires…. But when did He stop? They say when canon was completed.

Simple deductive logic would show that if this were true, that all that has transpired for 1900 years has had nothing to do with GOD. In fact theirs premise declares that everything outside of the Bible is of the enemy – the deceiver.

I guess that lumps all of us with the likes of Luther, Wesley, Chambers, Sturgeon, Moody, Watts, Matthew Henry etc….

But let me turn it all around, logically, deductively, scientifically.

If GOD NO longer speaks, no longer breaths inspiration to those who seek Him, then we indeed have a conundrum. GOD, according to scripture, breaths …it is repeated in scripture if anyone cares to look. He does so because HE says HE IS A LIVING GOD. Again scriptures states this over and over. These so called ”scholars” are saying GOD does not speak, GOD does not breath.

Any intelligent human knows that when something that is alive ceases to breath, life as we know it ceases. So they are strongly implying that GOD IS DEAD. Now where have I heard that before?

If my limited memory and intelligence serves me, past so called “scholars” have said the same thing….Voltaire, Nietze, Marx, Hegel, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hitler…and this list can go on and on and on ….

But I need to leave the arena and personalize this. As a child I was taught to knell beside my bed and to say “prayers.” I was taught that GOD heard and GOD answered. As a child this gave me peace and comfort. In time I out grew those prayers and learned religion. And like many I mistook religion for GOD, and was abused and hurt. Many years and many hurts later I found myself in a pit of my own making…. lost, alone, hopeless, suicidal. Instead of pulling the trigger of a 357 magnum, I prayed in simple desperation. And He answered. Did I hear a “voice”. In my case yes. But the answer was also a sudden peace and comfort I did not ask for, nor did I deserve. When you “hear” His Voice, “feel” His Breath, it is because you are aware of His Presence in your life.

To say that Almighty GOD cannot, does not, will not speak either to or through His children mocks GOD for being a loving Father. And if God does not speak any more, what good is prayer? If God hears but is refrained from answering, why even say that He does hear? Prayer is now a useless babbling without purpose and without effect. Sorry James, they threw you out with God it seems.

Prayer is conversation, and while I have been the victim of many one sided conversations, to imagine prayer as simply one sided with GOD being quiet all the time is invalid. Prayer is the sharing of time, ideas, dreams with our ABBA. Prayer is where fellowship begins. To negate the effective power of prayer fellowship is eliminated. Because fellowship is where relationship is established the elimination of fellowship prevents all relationship. And without relationship there is no intimacy without ABBA.

Without intimacy there is no ABBA; period.

And without the love of my ABBA, the presence of His Spirit, the friendship of His Son life is not worth living. As a modern psalmist sings today “Life would be Hell, and Hell is forever…but Hallelujah!…Blessed be the Lord, and Lamb by His Side.”

Some may say that my whole position is based on some “emotional experience”….my answer is “y-u-p!”. Both ways. It is an experience, and it has been emotional. But big deal. If your basic premise leads to “God is dead” I do not expect your “god” having any ’emotion’ either.

It is strange. Joshua said, “choose you this day whom you will serve”…I never anticipated a “modern Christian” manufacturing a “god” that suits themselves. But I should have. If you do not choose to “serve the LORD”, you have to make up something you will serve.

Will anything I have wrote sway any hearts? I doubt it. Nor do I claim it for anything more than my own thoughts placed on paper. Am I creating a more pronounced dividing line for the “Us” vs. “them” types that enjoy sitting back and mocking everyone and anyone. I hope I can do more.

I would love to dig a huge trench and line it with razor wire to separate the wolves from my Master’s Lambs and Sheep. But the wolves within the fold have always sought the weakest and the defenseless. So if I cannot separate them maybe I can keep the wolves occupied with me while their time runs out.

Up Next: I Grieve