Does God still speak? Listening prayer has its fair share of critics, but is listening prayer biblical? What are the arguments for and against? AIM founder Seth Barnes takes a look at the art of listening prayer.
People like me who believe that God speaks to people using a variety of
means and not just Scripture face two frequent critiques: Luther’s tenet
of Sola Scriptura and Hebrews 1:1-2.
Sola Scriptura, according to Luther, meant “All that man needs for
salvation is contained in the Bible.” He was responding to the abuses of
the organized church which had come up with a system of indulgences and
papal writs that were extra-biblical.
salvation is contained in the Bible.” He was responding to the abuses of
the organized church which had come up with a system of indulgences and
papal writs that were extra-biblical.
These were not necessary for
salvation; they were part of a system the official church of the day
used to control people. Luther was not making a case for God speaking to
man exclusively through the Bible. He was arguing for the primacy of
the Scriptures over the interpretation of the Scriptures.
salvation; they were part of a system the official church of the day
used to control people. Luther was not making a case for God speaking to
man exclusively through the Bible. He was arguing for the primacy of
the Scriptures over the interpretation of the Scriptures.
Critics who cite Sola Scriptura as a critique of listening prayer
are making two errors: They misinterpret Luther’s intent, and in any
case, they are citing a man’s interpretation of Scripture rather than
Scripture itself – the very practice they are attacking.
are making two errors: They misinterpret Luther’s intent, and in any
case, they are citing a man’s interpretation of Scripture rather than
Scripture itself – the very practice they are attacking.
A second critique does come from Scripture – Hebrews 1:1-2 “In the past
God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in
various ways. But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”
The critics of listening prayer interpret this to mean that the only way to hear God’s voice is through Scripture.
Is that true? Is the writer of Hebrews saying that God only spoke
to the forefathers through the prophets? No, we know from the Bible that
isn’t true. He spoke to various people throughout the Old Testament
who weren’t known as prophets, the most prominent patriarchs among them.
All the writer is saying is that in the past, he spoke through the
prophets, not that he spoke exclusively through them. Perhaps it was the
most obvious way, but it wasn’t the only way.
to the forefathers through the prophets? No, we know from the Bible that
isn’t true. He spoke to various people throughout the Old Testament
who weren’t known as prophets, the most prominent patriarchs among them.
All the writer is saying is that in the past, he spoke through the
prophets, not that he spoke exclusively through them. Perhaps it was the
most obvious way, but it wasn’t the only way.
Read more: The critics and listening prayer
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