Charles Stanley, (November 5, 2006, TV broadcast channel 45,
Erroneous beliefs such as God speaks to individuals today, have become cemented from a lack of dividing the Word correctly. We think in metaphors and clichés instead of realistic and convincing arguments. I call it the “church sign syndrome.” The billboards of most churches represent the depth of thinking you find in the presentation of God and His Gospel. Preachers say they like to keep things simple because too much thinking on doctrine causes divisions. Children of the church are consumed by culture’s principles because in the church, harmony over doctrine is more desirable than our children’s minds.
My problem with Mr. Stanley or anyone’s assertiveness in warning me to “not put God in a box” is the cliché is wrapped in absurdity. If putting God in a box constitutes limiting His ability, then God has already put Himself in a box. In Titus 1:2 it says God cannot lie. We do not read He will not lie but, He cannot lie. Also in James 1:13 it says God cannot tempt man. Again, it does not say God will not, but God cannot tempt man. Scripture has already revealed God as good. (Luke 18:19). His nature puts Him in a box just as our nature puts us in a box. We cannot change our nature of sin and God cannot change His nature of goodness. In possessing a purely good nature, He cannot lie to or tempt man. God does not have the power to do anything against His nature of goodness and our beliefs do not have the power to change an immutable God.
Mr. Stanley and others use clichés as imitations of scripture to justify subjective beliefs. The only way Mr. Stanley can propagate God speaking today is through clichés and taking scripture out of context. Mr. Stanley used Hebrews 13:8 to assert God speaks to individuals today. Unlike his cliché to “not put God in a box” we can examine the scripture Mr. Stanley referenced to see if it provides a reasonable premise for his position. Paul warned Timothy (2 Timothy 2:13) to explain the word of truth correctly, and to not be ashamed about standing up for a correct interpretation of scripture. Does this scripture (Heb. 13:8) tell us we can expect to hear (audibly or through an inner voice) the voice of God today?
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:7, 8 NIV)
Hebrews 13:8 is used to argue since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever we can assume God still speaks today. Chapter thirteen is a closing chapter of exhortations to the Hebrews for practical daily living. Verses 7 through 17 are encouraging the Hebrew Christians to remember their leaders and to “imitate their faith.” “Consider the outcome of their way,” means to notice how they died, or more accurately, the character they portrayed to the end. “All these people were still living by faith [trust] when they died.” (11:13)
The Hebrew Christians were being told Jesus’ sacrifice was not sufficient enough and they needed the legalistic ways of the Mosaic laws to obtain righteousness. Verse 8 is reminding the Hebrew Christians of their leaders who trusted Jesus and His efficiency over the Mosaic Law. Christ is completely trustworthy because His sinless nature was and is sufficient to provide a final sacrifice for covering of their sins. Hebrews 13:8 is pointing to the goodness of God and the immutable nature of Christ.
God’s nature of goodness cannot change, but God has changed how He deals with man. The sacrificial system of worship has been done away with and there will never be another flood “to destroy the earth” (Gen 9:11). Hebrews 13:8 does not reasonably prove the notion of God speaking to individuals today. However it could be used to explain all sorts of notions when lifted out of its context and separated from its true meaning. When done so, it becomes nothing more than a worn out cliché.
