Surprised by the Voice of God - How God Speaks to Us Today

Surprised by the Voice of God: how God speaks to us today
By Jack Deere
Kingsway. 384 pages. £7.99
ISBN 0 85476 649 9

This book, by the theologian behind the Vineyard group of churches, Jack Deere, is warmly endorsed by men of such standing as R.T. Kendall, David Pytches and Lyndon Bowring. Written for 'ordinary' Christians, his main argument is that God is speaking today just as he did throughout Bible times - every way used then is being used now - if we but realised it, humbled ourselves and started listening.
Without a proper response to the visions, dreams, impressions, prophecies and audible words, the church is not living in an authentic New Testament way, and is spiritually impoverished and ineffective because of it. The book is thought-provoking - but these are the thoughts I began to have on reflection.

1. Exegetical and theological

There are problems at all levels. For example, in rejecting his dispensationalism, Deere appears to have thrown over almost any form of Biblical theology and the proper recognition of the unfolding of God's revelation. He ignores the crucial arguments of Hebrews, where God, who used to speak in various ways, now through his unique son, Jesus, has give us all a 'final word on a finished work' (as Dick Lucas has so ably put it). The special role of the apostles is almost ignored and there are virtually no references to the Pastoral epistles with their emphasis on 'sound doctrine', nor to Jude for whom the faith was 'once for all given'. Rather, he bases his views on Acts which, he asserts, is descriptive of the life of all churches throughout all time. He also takes Jesus as an example not just in the moral area, but in the sphere of revelation. Just as he saw and heard the Father, so we, his disciples, must hear and see through the same methods as he did.
He also dodges over the theological problems raised by false prophets, leaning heavily on Grudem's view of prophecy without explaining or justifying it. Mistakes by true 'prophets' are taken as normal. The lack of space and the tone of the discussion given to this in a book of such length has to be read to be believed - woefully inadequate!

2. Methodological

He mainly resorts to the relating of anecdotes, often startling and challenging. But these are not all that they appear. As well as his own experiences, he mainly refers to the ministry of Paul Cain - whose prophecies are the main 'trump card' in authenticating Deere's views. Having recently read Clifford Hill's book Blessing the Church? (reviewed in EN January 1996), it becomes obvious that much is left out - such as patently false prophecies about a revival in 1991, erroneous 'Latter Rain' teaching, and concerns about the trends he is advocating. To report this would have been more honest.

3. Pastoral

Though he addresses the issue, he plays down the problem of mistaken prophecies/ words of knowledge/guidance etc. People with sensitive consciences, crucial decisions to make or heart-tugging problems to face, will have their hopes raised, only to be dashed by the innumerable 'get-out clauses' as they begin to explore all the ways God could speak, but apparently often fails to use to get through to them with just exactly what he means when they most need it. This not only becomes a pastoral problem, but it raises serious questions about the kind of God who plays such cosmic peek-a-boo!

The book also has a sharp polemic edge. Deere seems to accuse those who do not agree with him of being 'Bible deists' and having 'theological unbelief'. This is a serious charge, but he does not properly intereact with other views that challenge his own, and the uninformed reader will be left with only two choices; either to sin as he describes it, or to follow his teaching. Apparently simple, clinching arguments against his opponents carry the day, and many Christians will be left wondering why most of the Bible-believing church has been so Bible un-believing for so long!
In summary, I was not surprised, just challenged to think harder, and then very disappointed that we are being led away from that great 'word of the cross' the apostle wanted to proclaim.

Dr. Ray Evans,
Bedford

© Evangelicals Now - January 1997
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