Hearing God - Book Review
Hearing God - Book Review
Writer: Roberto Cortes
May 8, 2017
Reading Report: Dallas Willard. Hearing God. Developing a Conversational Relationship with God (InterVarsity Press, Illimois, 1999).
I. Thesis
The thesis of this book states that when we live in a close relationship with God, we will understand the importance of redemption and the Word of God by having clear communication with Him. Then we will be more aware of God´s voice, our subconscious, and the enemy´s voice. The book states that divine guidance brings meaning in our lives.
II. Meaningful points or ideas within the summary
· Willard states that we are never alone no matter our sufferings or crises. “The promise is not that God will never allow any evil to come to us but that no matter what befalls us…His presence is utterly enough” (Willard, 45). His promises do not lay in His presents but in His presence of the living God (Willard, 45). That Power of His Presence transforms broken hearts and relations, and pushes us into a place of coronation and to live a plentiful life.
· Those who understand God´s presence, will enter into their capacities as kings and priest, “reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17 NIV), “They will have power in life by Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17 NLV) (Willard, 47). This relationship between God and us should be mutual. Because when we honor and we are aware of His Presence, we catch His attention. Therefore, He will manifest in some way or another. “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained” (1 Sam. 2:30, NIV).
· Willard holds that the primary manner of communication from God is God´s speaking as He did with the patriarchs. Therefore, the Word of God, “the Bible itself is God´s speaking preserved in written form” (Willard, 53). The second manner is through the spiritual discernment that is active to those who are involving in the work for the Kingdom, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16b).
· Willard was in a conference of biblical scholars where he affirmed, “Without the present illumination of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God must remain a dead letter to every man, and not matter intelligent or well-educated he or she may be…” (Willard, 171). This argument is correct and this illumination is a process where the humankind experiences the divine privileges for what we were made.
III. INTERACTIVE ANALYSIS
Willard recognized that we need to know “what are pretty clearly mistaken claims of hearing from God” (Willard, 64) and when is really His voice. He recommends a book Does God Speak Today? Where David Pytches compiled real-life stories about God speaking. My ministry has been involved with these mystical experiences where God has spoken. In Several occasions, His Word was confirmed by the circumstances that came after that. In spite of this, I consider that the human being makes mistakes. As well as I have had them. We can read the history of when Adam and Eve could not recognize the voice of the evil when they sinned, although they had a constant and direct communication with God in the Garden of Eden. Hence, the spiritual formation is a process without limits. We will always continue learning because God is infinite.
The author holds, “Vainly strikes the blinded eyes of fallen humanity” (Willard, 168). In the 21st century, the power of the prayer continues being the way to be connecting with God. This is the way where we can get oneself straight. Consequently, ¡God responds! In spite of this, we need to clean the channel of communication to allow God to clean our blinded eyes in order to receive His clear Voice.
Willard attended a conference of biblical scholars when affirmed, “that the natural man is [unable] to discern spiritually the biblical message apart from the Holy Spirit” (Willard, 171). Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the way where we can communicate with God. We need that spiritual or mental impulse or message with the spiritual assistance from the Holy Spirit. Not as a formula, but a constant experience with God (Willard, 172).
IV. APPLICATION
Reading this book, I can appreciate that the author not only is teaching about the Kingdom of God but how we can participate in its divine blessings. For me, one of the divine blessings is hearing the voice of God. Not just as a supernatural experience, but also as a constant guidance through the circumstances in my life. Then, “our familiarity with that voice enables us to recognize it” (Willard, 174).
Without a doubt, Willard has been a pioneer in spiritual formation. At the end of my Master of Divinity program, I can consider two reasons why this program has been a success for me. Firstly, due to the outreach trips that I have experienced through APU organization called Mexico Outreach and Passages for the Israel trips. I have been able to exercise the spiritual gifts that I have received for my ministry freely. I mean without the barriers and policy that our American churches have. Secondly, my class of Christian Formation in which I have made of this topic my source of knowledge. This important topic of spiritual formation is actually in which I identify my ministry and my spiritual growth is really growing.