It is not even interesting anymore that so many bloggers prioritize a good relationship (“healing”) over unashamed interpretation of Scripture and uncompromising submission to God. Since we are all men-pleasers by nature I suppose we should consider ourselves benefited by the consciences of tolerance who roam the blogosphere, assuming unkindness first and asking about theology later. Certainly their policing efforts will keep everyone happy with each other. Of course it may make things worse with the Judge.
Well, as I promised, here is more of Edwards from The Religious Affections. It isn’t really that I’m an Edwards freak, nor do I suppose his writings are inspired. It’s just that I’m reading through Affections in preparation for an upcoming retreat and so much of what he’s written seems directly applicable to modern day claims of direct God-speak. For example,
Impressions which some have received in their imagination, or the imaginary ideas which they have of God or Christ, or heaven, or anything appertaining to religion, have nothing in them that is spiritual or of the nature of true grace. Though such things may attend what is spiritual and be mixed with it, yet in themselves they have nothing that is spiritual, nor are they any part of gracious experience. (p.138)He previously argued that numerous means or agents can fabricate ideas and impressions in our heads. Certain experiences produce corresponding senses. Many weak minded men are carried off by their own lively imaginations. Even the devil himself is able to turn our thoughts. So having impressions is no guarantee of the Spirit’s work.
Further,
the immediate suggesting of words of Scripture to the mind has nothing in it which is spiritual. (p.146)Even when it is a Bible verse that comes to mind there is no certain proof as to the origin of the thought and we should place no faith in any extraordinary manner of the thought’s coming. We are not called to trust our experience of thinking about a verse, but rather we are to trust in the promise of the Scripture itself. Our confidence is not best placed in the subjective experience of our minds but rather in the external thing, be it God’s pledge, or better, in God Himself.
In Edwards’ own words:
a determination that the words of a particular text were, by the immediate power of God, suggested to the mind, at such a time, as though then spoken and directed by God to him because the words came after such a manner, is wholly an uncertain and precarious determination…and accordingly that faith which is built upon it is false. The only certain foundation which any person has to believe that he is invited to partake of the blessings of the gospel, is, that the Word of God declares that persons so qualified as he is, are invited, and that God, who declares it, is true, and cannot lie. If a sinner be once convinced of the veracity of God, and that the Scriptures are His word, he will need no more to convince and satisfy him that he is invited; for the Scriptures are full of invitations to sinners, to the chief of sinners, to come and partake of the benefits of the gospel; he will not want any new speaking of God to him; what He hath spoken already will be enough with him. (p.151)There is so much false faith. If we truly have “everything pertaining to life and godliness” then why expect and depend on fresh disclosures?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think the Spirit has ceased His work today. In fact I believe He is doing markedly more impressive things than imparting occasional, personal inklings. Instead He is constant and committed in illuminating the living and active/objective/unchanging Word and enabling us to obey it.
In case you wondered, the PyroManiac has already assembled a healthy dose of Spurgeon’s thoughts on impressions.
