Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion?

No matter where one is in their Christian walk, I am convinced that anyone would receive eye-opening gems of wisdom by reading this book. A relatively short and easy read, Waltke's style of writing is superb. He fully backs the entire book with a plethora of scripture and provides easy-to-understand real life sceanarios. I would recommend this book to any Christian; especially young Christians struggling with God's will.

Suggesting this to my pastor as a book study for Sunday school curriculum. Perhaps the best Christian book I have ever read.

When one starts to read this book one will be shocked to find out that many professing Christians today practice the same type of paganistic rituals that they condemn. Waltke shows the reader in this book that "tapping" into God's will through various silly routines and rituals to find out what career to launch into, who to marry, what school to attend, etc. is no different from a pagan offering a gift to his god to look for divine knowledge. The book is divided into two main parts. The first part investigates the idea of "finding God's will." Waltke nicely summarizes the various ways Christians seek God's will and concludes that the methods often employed are nothing but paganistic (e.g., blindly opening up the Bible and pointing to a particular passage as God's word for you today). The second part deals with how Christians can TRULY know what God wills. Waltke's main contention is that God's Holy Word (Scripture) and the Holy Spirit that lives within us (who gives us holy desires) offer believers guidance in pointing to what God wills from believers. It is refreshing to read a well-respected scholar bringing us back to the Bible when it comes to discerning God's will. Too many Christians these days do silly rituals or look for "divine signs" to know God's will. However, as Waltke points out, God does not give his revelatory light if we are searching for it. Other key points Waltke makes is that we must seek wise counsel from mature Christians when we are at a fork on the road in our lives, that God's providence provides us with information (even though we may not understand at the beginning why God allows, sometimes difficult, events to occur), and that Christians must use their common sense (which is part of common grace) when making a decision. In all of these points, Waltke's main point is that we cannot allow circumstances, "signs", other people, etc. to usurp the authority of Scripture and the Spirit's illumination when reading it in finding God's guidance for our lives. Though God did employ supernatural methods to speak to the saints during biblical times, Waltke states that this is not the norm. Even if God can employ supernatural methods to speak to his children he has given us ample information in Scripture. Therefore, God does not need to come down and appear as a light to reveal what he requires and wills. Too many modern evangelical churches (especially of the radical charismatic sorts) have allowed Scripture to be buried underneath the fantastic and spectacular. Waltke, however, rightly points us back to Scripture and rightly points out that what God wills for ALL Christians is that they be faithful and holy during their Christian pilgrimage. I highly recommend this book to all Christians. It will help Christians realize what to sift out of their so-called Christian practices and how to employ biblical methods in discerning what God wills for our lives - which is to be a holy priesthood in a world ravaged by sin.

I once knew a Christian who was considering buying a new sports car. In order to determine what God's will was on the issue, she opened her Bible, at random. The verse she picked happened to mention silver--the color of the car. She took that as God's approval for purchasing the car. Similar horror stories are scattered through Waltke's "Finding the Will of God." He wrote about common mistakes (Pagan mistakes) Christians use to conjure up God's will. More importantly, Waltke outlines how we can actually live in God's will, without relying on superstition, guesses, or other poor theologies. His advice is amazingly simple and refreshingly sound. He lists steps, such as reading the Bible (to actually know God, and not some random verse), seeking the advice of Christian friends, etc. Essentially, his advice boils down to this: know God. Waltke wrote that the God who would give his own Son to save us, would not hide his will. We don't need to search for his will, as much as need to focus on knowing God. This book was recommended to me by a friend who is the theological librarian at a divinity school. I was struggling with some choices and "Finding the Will of God" offered clear, biblical, and practical ideas. Waltke's style is easy to understand. The chapters are arranged in a logical sequence, and are short enough to read through easily. Most of all, the book really made me think about what it means to "know God." I would strongly recommend this book to any Christian, but especially to those who are concerned about making biblical decisions and living a life that pleases God.