The Justice Conference: Another Ecumenical Emergent Event?

Article by Amanda Bowers (Hears His Voice blog)

I received a request from a reader to take a look at The Justice Conference 2012 being held in Portland, Oregon this weekend. The reader had some concerns regarding the conference and wanted me to give my opinion. Rather than offer just an opinion, as I am certainly no expert, and for that matter man’s opinions are of little real value, let’s instead view the facts with regard to the conference and a few of the numerous speakers. Then as the Bereans were commended by Paul, let’s compare the teaching of these speakers with the sure truth of the Holy Word of God. As one who continues to observe the various movements occurring in today’s visible church and “evangelical” world (and I definitely use that term loosely in this regard), it is inevitable that trends can be seen in gatherings of this magnitude. Boasting over 60 speakers comprising the pre-conference and conference panel, this is no small event.

The theme of the conference: Justice: Love is a Thread states,

Justice is a garment, a billion threads, interwoven, interlocked, knit together with strength and integrity. Pull one thread from the fabric and the garment begins to fray. Pull ten million threads and justice unravels into injustice. The work of justice is to mend the holes injustice inflicts upon the garment. It is a brave, challenging, courageous work and it does not begin with expertise or duty. It begins with love… and love is a thread. The Justice Conference 2012 is the second annual international gathering of advocates, activists, artists, professors, professionals, prophets, pastors, students and stay-at-home moms working to restore the fabric of justice. For some it means speaking. For others it means singing. For some it means going. For others it means giving. For all, it means living with mercy and love. You are invited to come weave your voice and gifts into the conversation. Join us, and discover that in the garment of justice, your love is an irreplaceable thread.

To be fair, nothing in that description boldly declares this is a gathering of “Christians” for the purpose of spreading the gospel so, perhaps, this is just a humanitarian gathering to help facilitate humanitarian efforts, but with the inclusion of the term “prophets and pastors” one does get the impression that there is an intention of representing Christianity in this gathering. Furthermore, when evaluating some of the speakers and their vocations and/or “ministries” clearly the participants see this event as one in which God is “speaking” into the issue of “social justice”.

In the following promotional video we are told,

“The vision is revealed by the light, there like a gift God speaks our calling to create. The same Voice that calls us to make calls us to come.” “We stand as one and give thanks because we believe THE SAME GOD that called us to create and come together is the ONE (emphasis mine) who raises justice from the ground”

So evidently there is at least some implied understanding that this conference is a call from “a Voice” or a “god” of some sort. Additionally, many of the speakers certainly claim to represent the God of the Bible. Such speakers include,

Francis Chan, author of books, Crazy Love and Forgotten God, and founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and is the founder of Eternity Bible College.

Walter Brueggemann Old Testament scholar, author, and featured speaker at a 2004 Emerging Theological Conversation at All Souls PCA Church in Decatur

Shane Claiborne, described on his website as: Bestselling Author, Prominent Christian Activist, Sought-after Speaker and Recovering Sinner

Lynn Hybels, wife of pastor Bill Hybels of the large seeker sensitive church, Willow Creek

Certainly based upon those represented here, one can only assume the “voice” or “god” being represented is that of the Holy Bible. So having made this conclusion, let’s look further at the doctrinal fruit, if you will, of some of these speakers, authors, and pastors. We are certainly told in Scripture to test every spirit that claims to represent God and the gospel.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Now let’s examine the fruit of some of these and a few of the other listed speakers.

Of Walter Brueggemann we are told,

“Walter Brueggemann is the world’s most important Old Testament scholar. In passionate prose best described as poetry, Brueggemann exegetes the Hebrew text and reveals God to be squarely on the side of the oppressed. Through countless articles, lectures and over 50 books, Brueggemann has inspired, enlightened and confounded. It takes courage to listen to Walter Brueggemann talk about the systemic injustice that threatens both the vulnerable poor and the shaky witness of the Church, and even more courage to invite this 21st century Jeremiah to speak at a conference titled Justice.”

So what does Mr. Brueggemann, the Old Testament scholar, think of the God of the Old Testament which, incidentally, IS THE SAME GOD of the New Testament? Walter Brueggemann, has stated that “God is a recovering practitioner of violence.” Wow, Mr. Brueggemann, so at what point did God recover from this “violence”? Was there a therapist to help Him work through that? Isn’t that akin to accusing God of having a flaw in His nature that required some form of improvement?

Miroslov Volf – is one of the key architects of the “Loving God And Neighbor Together: A Christian Response To A Common Word Between Us And You”document (an ecumenical document that claims that Muslims and Christians have the same God) – from “A Common Word”

“Indeed, together with you we believe that we need to move beyond “a polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders” and work diligently together to reshape relations between our communities and our nations so that they genuinely reflect our common love for God and for one another.”

So, is there now a “common love” for the God of the Bible and the god of Muslims or other religions? Do we all serve the same God? According to Mr. Volf Muslims and Christians do serve a “Common God”

“The Jews worship God without acknowledging God’s Trinitarian nature; Christians worship God while acknowledging God’s Trinitarian nature. Both cannot be right about God’s Trinitarian nature, but both can worship the same God. The same holds true of Muslims.”

Is Jesus a deity in the Muslim faith or just a good teacher? Are there multiple paths to the same god? Do other religions view Jesus as John describes Him?

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Dr. Christina Cummings – former abortion doctor and director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Pasadena, CA who now speaks about healthy eating and holistic medicine.  Sola Sisters author, Christine Pack, has contacted her to inquire as to whether she has had a conversion to Christianity and repented of her former life as an abortion doctor and director of Planned Parenthood clinic, or if she views abortion and Christianity as somehow compatible. We are still awaiting a response.

Rev. Dr. Randy S. Woodley is Distinguished Associate Professor of Faith and Culture and Director of Intercultural and Indigenous Studies at George Fox Seminary in Portland. He is an author, teacher, poet, activist, former pastor and missionary, missiologist and historian. Dr. Woodley is a Keetoowah Cherokee Indian, leading a local indigenous gathering at his home in Newberg, OR. Mr. Woodley speaks on his blog about his working relationship with Mr. Brian McLaren, Emergent Church Leader, and denier of the atonement of Jesus Christ and writes articles for the Emergent Church blog, The Emergent Voice.

Lynne Hybels, wife of Bill Hybels pastor of Willowcreek Church, a leading seeker sensitive church that has quickly gone the way of New Age Mysticism and heavily promotes and teaches Spiritual Formation, writes on her blog about prayer,

“What I received as an answer to my prayer about prayer was a visual image of the spiritual realm. In this picture, there were thin wire tubes, not unlike electrical conduits, twisting and turning throughout the spiritual realm, connecting God with people and people with God and people with people (sometimes I see freeways and clover leafs). The loving, healing, transforming, embracing, challenging, pure power of God is flowing out from God all the time along these spiritual conduits (because it is, in fact, God’s nature to be always giving out what is good). But here’s the catch: the conduits along which God’s power flows are made of our prayers. Each prayer we pray creates another conduit along which the power of God can flow into the world that so desperately needs it. I don’t know why our prayers create the conduits. That God would choose to shrink his divine energy into bits of power tiny enough to fit the frail, twisted conduits of prayer we offer seems ludicrous. Perhaps God values teamwork and community far more than we realize. At any rate, according to the picture in my head, that’s just the way things work in the spiritual realm. -Lynne Hybels

A quick scan of Ms. Hybels’ blog includes the following book titles that she is reading:

• Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry, Edited by Gustave Reininger
• A Christianity Worth Believing, Doug Pagitt
• The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard

And lastly, but certainly not least or exhaustive with regard to the over 60 speakers of this “Justice” conference, is a speaker of great interest and concern with regard to the true gospel of Christ, Shane Claiborne. In a conversation with emergent leader Tony Compolo, we see just exactly what Mr. Claiborne believes about the gospel of Jesus Christ and Muslims.

Claiborne: Both Muslims and Christians are very evangelical in the sense of desiring others to come to faith in their God. When we talk about inter-religious cooperation, does that mean that we need to stop trying to convert each other? 

Compolo: We don’t have to give up trying to convert each other. What we have to do is show respect to one another. And to speak to each other with a sense that even if people don’t convert, they are God’s people, God loves them, and we do not make the judgment of who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. I think that what we all have to do is leave judgment up to God. The Muslim community is very evangelistic, however what Muslims will not do is condemn Jews and Christians to Hell if in fact they do not accept Islam. (emphasis mine) 

Claiborne: That seems like a healthy distinction—between converting and condemning. One of the barriers seems to be the assumption that we have the truth and folks who experience things differently will all go to Hell. (emphasis mine) How do we unashamedly maintain a healthy desire for others to experience the love of God as we have experienced it without condemning others who experience God differently…

What do the Scriptures say about salvation?

(L)et it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 (NASB, my emphasis)

In this issue of Esquire Magazine, Mr. Claiborne, apologized to unbelievers for the way in which believers in the past have misrepresented Jesus and Christianity:

“I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians”

“I was recently asked by a non-Christian friend if I thought he was going to hell. I said, “I hope not. It will be hard to enjoy heaven without you.” If those of us who believe in God do not believe God’s grace is big enough to save the whole world… well, we should at least pray that it is.”

Mr. Claiborne, this could have been a good time to share the gospel, but since it is clear you feel that it’s not for us to judge or pronounce judgments on anyone or to obey the clear mandate of the great commission, for the sake of your friend, “I hope” he looked elsewhere for his answers.

Let me remind my readers what Scriptures say about ALL MEN. It is not that we are pronouncing any judgments upon anyone, but rather clearly heralding the Word of God which states that NO MAN is good and that all are under condemnation apart from Christ. This is not the judgment of man; this IS the judgment of God.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18, my emphasis)

In closing, what is my opinion of The Justice Conference?

Whatever the stated purpose of the conference is, the obvious implication remains that the ecumenical nature of this gathering is to, yet again, further blur the lines between true theological conviction based upon a solid Biblical understanding of the objective truth of the Holy Bible and the true gospel of Jesus Christ with the softer, mystical, subjective, and tolerant “new kind of Christianity” of the Emergent Church.

I leave you with this charge from the apostles Paul and John:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed... Galatians 1:8

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully... 2 Corinthians 11:2-4

Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 2 John 1:9-11

Gary Gilley has recently written some articles dealing with the Social gospel movement that might also be of interest to you.

Social Gospel part 1 

Social Gospel part 2

Related articles

• Sola Sisters: Can’t Hear God Speak? Repent Says Henry Blackaby(hearshisvoice.wordpress.com)
• Lectio Divina – A breaking heart as I see continued compromise(hearshisvoice.wordpress.com)

Religion and Its Victims

Posted by Christine Pack

 Additional Resources 

Contrast the Above Biblical Message to T.D. Jakes' $hakedown Me$$age Here

Grace To You - Recent Messages

Grace To You - Blog

If Your Pastor Ever Does A Video Like This (Or You Can Imagine That He Might Do a Video Like This), Grab Your Kids and Run For The Door

Posted by Christine Pack

Pastor Ed Young: "Not that we become fashion crazy, but people definitely look at what people wear, and you are what you wear, and who are you wearing? Obviously, we're clothed in Christ, but we should do the best with what we have. (Unbuttoning shirt) You know, I have worn today Spanx, that's right, Spanx for men, and (continuing to unbutton shirt) let me show them to you. They're really cool, they're a kind of uh, compression, and they keep everything in, those muffin tops, et cetra. Yeah guys, we even wear them. I've only worn them twice, and they're good, but when you sit down, it does kind of (pantomimes sitting motion and grimaces) give you, it kind of compresses, and you have a lot of gas."

 Additional Resources 

Ed Young, to his congregation: "Routing number and account number...write that down"

Pyromaniacs...A Recommended Resource

Article by Christine Pack and Cathy Mathews

Just a short post to encourage our readers to check out the very excellent Pyromaniacs blog (a.k.a., Team Pyro). For any of our readers who aren't familiar with Pyromaniacs, Team Pyro is a blog that features posts on a wide array of issues in today's church. They have been an invaluable resource to us as well as to many Christians seeking to grow in discernment.

Team Pyro was founded by Phil Johnson, who serves as executive director of the media ministry of Grace To You. In addition to Phil Johnson's articles, Pyromaniacs also features posts by writers Frank Turk and Dan Phillips, author of God's Wisdom in Proverbs and the newly released The World-Tilting Gospel (book review on this to be forthcoming).

Many thanks also to Pyromaniacs for recently adding Sola Sisters to their blog roll.

Demystifying Symbols

Article by Marcia Montenegro (Christians Answers For The New Age)
Expanded and Adapted from Marcia’s book, SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids

NOTE: I wrote the following post partly as a reaction to the over-reaction to Madonna's half-time show at the 2012 Super Bowl. Some of the stuff I read went overboard trying to link in all kinds of evil stuff due to her costume, which I'm sure she wore just because she's a diva and wanted to outdo anyone else who's done a half-time show. She probably copied some of it from previous designs and wanted to look outrageous, but that does not mean we should take it seriously. ~Marcia Montenegro

Symbols are sometimes viewed by Christians as evil in and of themselves, but a symbol is just that – a symbol. A symbol represents something and cannot in itself be evil. Also, it is often the case that an occult meaning is read into an innocent design. Without proper context or further information, it is wise not to declare symbols as representative of anything evil or occultic.

Rather, Christians should be prudent and controlled in their approach to symbols; such a posture is more in keeping with a Christlike character than are alarm or panic. The following points on symbols may be helpful.

 Symbols fluctuate in their use and meaning 

The meaning of symbols depends on the culture and time in which they exist, and on the meaning ascribed to them by the group using the symbol. The backgrounds of many symbols are murky and disputed, and often the use of a symbol changes or crosses over from one culture or belief to another.

For example, the pentagram or pentacle, which is widely used by witches/Wiccans today once represented the five wounds of Christ.

The swastika of Nazism comes from many ancient cultures, including Hindu beliefs, and stood for various things—the motion of the sun through the sky, the four directions, the sun’s rays, and so on. No one is sure of its true origins.

Animals have been used as symbols in many ways. The phoenix, stag, and unicorn have all been used as symbols in the occult practice of alchemy, and also became Christian symbols. It is impossible to say, for example, that the unicorn or the phoenix always symbolizes the same thing. Symbols must be taken in context of time, culture, and use.

 There is disagreement on the occultic nature of some symbols as well as their meaning 

For example, the ankh was depicted in Egypt with gods and goddesses and was thought to represent immortal life and the union of male and female. Today it is used by those in the New Age and Witchcraft and in the vampire subculture. Its original meaning may not be known, and even now it might have different meanings depending on the beliefs of those who use it.

 Religious symbols can be used by any culture and are sometimes misinterpreted by those cultures 

The yin-yang black and white symbol comes from the Chinese religion of Taoism and signifies the Taoist views on the two opposing but complementary forces of the universe, from which everything is composed. But this symbol is often misused in the Western culture to represent balance or harmony.

The original meaning of any symbol may or may not be retained. Therefore, it is wise to be careful with any symbol and not assume anything without first looking at the history, cultural context, and present use of that symbol.

 Symbols are used by some in pop culture in order to be provocative 

Many performers wear jewelry with certain symbols or singers may place symbols on their album covers. Sometimes this reflects their true beliefs. But many times, they do this is to be provocative, merely indicating a rebellious attitude toward society, which is typical of many artists and performers. Before we label any of these people, more information is needed about their beliefs and philosophy. It is better to investigate than to over-react without substantiation.

Performers will often use symbols or costume that do not necessarily indicate their true beliefs, but are merely expressing a grandiose and flamboyant persona.

 A symbol by itself is merely a symbol 

What matters is what it signifies and how it is being interpreted in the present culture. A five-pointed star, a pentacle, is merely a geometric shape and is not inherently evil or dangerous. It is one of many geometric shapes created by God. This shape is also used for stars or snowflakes as Christmas decor or even a sheriff’s badge. When it is a snowflake or star or sheriff’s badge, however, it is clearly different from the pentacles worn as jewelry by a Wiccan.

Since most symbols originated in the pagan world, then most symbols will have a history of pagan associations. There are a limited number of possible shapes and geometric figures; therefore, many times innocent logos or designs are unfairly linked with occult or pagan systems or beliefs.

 Being wise about symbols 

In no way am I saying that symbols are meaningless or that it’s okay for a Christian to wear an identifiable non-Christian symbol like a pentagram or Yin-Yang emblem.  On the other hand, let us keep our heads and not misinterpret certain shapes or designs.

What is more significant is how and where a symbol is being used, and if it has a meaning in the present time and culture. Unless it is widely recognized, a symbol does not have much meaning. And if it is a symbol being used now by occult or non-Christian groups, then we need to focus on the message or content of beliefs represented by the symbol.


 Additional Resources 

Myths about Christmas and Easter: A Critique of Alexander Hislop (Marcia Montenegro)

Sola Sisters Facebook discussion re: symbols - Sept 30, 2013

Sola Sisters Facebook discussion re: symbols, freemasonry - Oct 4, 2013

Sola Sisters Facebook discussion re: symbols,conspiracy theories - Dec 2, 2013

False Teachings About Hearing Audible Words From God Taking Even Deeper Root in Today's Church

Article by Amanda Bowers (Hears His Voice blog)

I received the following comment from a reader on my recent Note of Repentance:

"At the Passion 2012 conference, Beth Moore, John Piper, Louie Giglio and company taught/led an entire sports arena (45,000 college aged students) in (attempting to 'hear' God's voice). My son's friends in attendance of this conference told of a young girl standing outside the arena crying her eyes out because she had not heard the audible voice of God as they had instructed. Others tried to comfort her but were also distraught at not hearing a thing. 

This is what Louie Giglio announced during a session that had them upset: 

“How many of you heard the voice of God speak specifically, clearly, directly, and personally, to you? Can you just put a hand up? I’d like you to share it. Can you put a hand up for a minute? 

Just want you to look around; that’s people saying, “God Almighty (pause) the Maker of heaven (pause) the one Who’s sitting on the only throne (pause) that’s not under threat (long pause, audience cheers)—He spoke to me. He spoke to me.” 

“God spoke to me.” (long pause) Don’t let the voice of the darkness, tell you that you are not (pause) worth (pause) that God would not speak to you. (pause) Don’t let him tell you, you don’t matter. (pause) God spoke to you.” 

They felt they must not be "good enough Christians" for God to speak to them. Thank you for warning others of this heresy. These children are diligently opening themselves to a potentially demonic spirit to hear God's audible voice. Please pray for them and for all the others who raised their hands..."

Pietism

The issue at hand with the current push to "hear God speak" outside of His already revealed, complete, and written Word is that it creates confusion, hurt, and sets up a system of pietism within the body of Christ. This idea that Christians can and should hear "audible words from God" is a dangerous teaching that has become deeply rooted in evangelicalism. And unfortunately, it is through books like Experiencing God and Hearing God's Voice, authored by widely respected Southern Baptist pastor Henry Blackaby, that these false and dangerous teachings have entered into the church. Please understand this is precisely why I am repenting from endorsing the teachings of Beth Moore and Henry Blackaby. As well intentioned as they might be, they are leading people down a dangerous path of subjectivity and confusion.  When in fact, in the gospel of Luke we read:

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." (Luke 1: 1-2, my emphasis)

Clearly, Luke is telling Theophilus, it seemed good to him, just as the patriarchs wrote down the eyewitness accounts of the events from the beginning of time, and just as they were ministers of the word and delivered them to the Israelites, that he also desired to write down the things they witnessed about Christ in an orderly account. Why? So that Theophilus may have certainty concerning the things that he was taught. Doesn't it seem to you, that God has done a most gracious thing in giving us the Holy Scriptures? Giving us a more sure account of His progressive revelation that was final and complete in His Son, Jesus Christ, as it plainly states in Hebrews 1:1-2:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." (my emphasis)

Peter admonishes us to understand that the things they have written are not mere men's thoughts or cleverly devised fables when he sates:

"And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:19-21

This begs the question, if the prophecies of Scripture that the apostles wrote and spoke about were not "produced by the will of man" but were spoken "from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit", what exactly is it that we are listening for from God today? Are we listening for prophecy? If so, are we claiming to be on the same ground as the apostles and are these prophecies occurring as we are carried along by the Spirit? Shouldn't someone be writing them down in the back of their Bibles? Wouldn't God want the entire body of Christ to know when He speaks? Are there things missing from the Word that we must have in order to live a godly life?  The Scriptures answer that question too:

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

More specifically, I want to know how Mr. Giglio, et al. would counsel this young lady and her friends? What are your answers to her distraught feeling that she is, in fact, not worthy of hearing God's voice? What Biblical ground and by what authority do you make the claims to these young people that God will speak to them in such a fashion?

Here is what Mr. Blackaby's says to those who do not hear God's voice:

"There is nothing more important in life than understanding when God is speaking to you. If you are disoriented to God's voice, your life is dangerously vulnerable. The Bible indicates conclusively that God does speak to people and that he does guide them to his will. The problem of not hearing from God never lies with God. He does communicate his will. It is not a matter of us searching in vain for God's hidden will. He readily reveals it to those who show themselves obedient to do it. If you do not hear God's voice, could it be your heart is not ready to respond to what he says? Are you clinging to sin or holding out against what you already know of his will? No matter what the reason for the silence, there is a remedy: repent and return to God. Allow God to soften your heart so you are ready to hear his voice and to respond in obedience. Continue seeking and listening until you have heard him speak to you in his unmistakable voice. When he does, it will change your life." Henry T. Blackaby; Richard Blackaby. Hearing God's Voice (Kindle Locations 3100-3104). Kindle Edition, (my emphasis)

Mr. Blackaby, the question one has to ask is this: does this mean that you are sinless? Does this now mean that since you are regularly and actively hearing God speak, you have special access to God that His other children don't have because of sin in their life? I understand that Scripture does teach that sin and rebellion will bring chastisement to God's children. We all understand that. Scripture says that God doesn't hear our prayers when we sin and rebel, but where does it "indicate conclusively" that we won't "hear God speak"? A true child of God abhors sin in their life and will respond under the heavy burden of conviction and chastisement. Torturing God's little ones by teaching them that if they aren't "hearing Gods voice" it is because their "heart is not ready to respond" and that they need to "repent and return to God" is not Biblical.

Just to be clear that Mr. Blackaby is not talking only about the illumination of the Word by the Spirit of God, but is actually encouraging us that if we aren't actually hearing God's voice speaking to us, then it is perhaps because we are in sin and need to repent, read what he says in response to the following question:

Question: "When you talk about "hearing from God," I picture God speaking in an audible voice. Does that ever happen? 

Answer: When we talk about God speaking in this book, we are referring to any way God communicates with people. Neither of us has ever heard God speak audibly. However, God has clearly communicated his will to us many, many times. God is sovereign. He can choose to speak to us any way he chooses, and that includes speaking audibly. However, God also relates to us in ways that build our faith. If God spoke out loud every time he wanted our attention, we would not need to concentrate on him, nor would we require faith. Just as we are forced to listen carefully when someone speaks softly, so by God speaking to us in many ways, we are forced to pay close attention to what he is communicating. People are usually fascinated by the spectacular. They seek the miraculous. We ought not to seek the spectacular when we listen to God. Rather, we should be pleased that God communicates with us in any way he chooses'.Keep your heart open to all the ways God wants to communicate with you.   

Henry T. Blackaby; Richard Blackaby. Hearing God's Voice (Kindle Locations 3044-3050). Kindle Edition (my emphasis). 

Let me clarify that, while I agree with Mr. Blackaby that God is sovereign and He can choose to speak to us "any way he chooses," it is clear from His Word that in these latter days He has chosen to reveal Himself  through the written Word:

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

I'm all for rightly dividing the Word of truth and calling men to repent and receive the grace of God for forgiveness of sins. That is a call that will "change your life." There is an inner call to repentance that all God's children hear when the Word of God is rightly preached, but that call is mediated through the preaching and teaching of the Word and it is conviction of sin and the revealing of Christ in a manner that opens the eyes of the blind to understand the Word of truth. This is a miracle of the Spirit. God does mediate His truth to us via the teaching and preaching and study of His Word and we who "hear His voice" understand and respond to His Word.

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10: 16-17

If that were all that is being taught here, then I could understand it, but it is not. This is going beyond the understanding of Biblical truth and the application of it to our lives. This is the seeking of revelations for specific directions to our lives. This is an encouragement to empty and/or quiet (be still) your mind in order to receive or hear "His voice."  God gives us wisdom via the study of His Word and He gives us guidelines and principles and He does lead us providentially, but He is not a magic eight ball that we can ask a question, shake, and get an answer if we are "still" and "listen" in "silence."

Below is the Passion 2012 clip where Louie Giglio is exhorting the audience to "listen" for God's voice:

(NOTE: The video above has been pulled from YouTube, but if you click this link to an article by Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries and go to the last video in the post, you will see the exercise in which Louie Giglio exhorted the crowd to hear audible words from God.)

And in the clip below, Todd Friel of Wretched Radio does an excellent job helping us better understand why this whole event was, at best, a big confusing mess, and at worst, flat out wrong!  I will note, that he references that Desiring God ministries did have an article with instructions on the practice of Lectio Divina at the Desiring God website, but that article has since been removed and you can read the reason why by going here.

 Additional Resources 

A Note of Repentance For Those To Whom I Taught or Endorsed Henry Blackaby and Beth Moore

Hello, My Name Is Amanda, and I Was a False Teacher

How Pietism Deceives Christians (The Errors of Elitist Teachings in the Church)

We're Really Not Out To "Get" John Piper and Beth Moore

John Piper Encouraging Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina and "Hearing God's Voice"

John Piper's Bethlehem Baptist Church Endorsing Books by Contemplative Spirituality Mystics Dallas Willard and Richard Foster

Beth Moore and John Piper Lead "Lectio Divina Lite" Prayer at Passion 2012 Conference

Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.  - by Kevin DeYoung

Just Do Something - by Kevin DeYoung (audio)

On John Piper and Lectio Divina

Biblical Silence vs. Mystical Silence

Secular Interview About What Mysticism Is - BBC Radio Program

What Is Mysticism? (Sola Sisters Article)

What Is Mysticism? (3-Part Series by Dr. Gary Gilley) - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5

Testimony of a Former Mystic