Finding the Will of God?: A Pagan Notion? [Paperback]

Bruce K. Waltke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2002

###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802839746
• ISBN-13: 978-0802839749
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bruce K. Waltke (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, Harvard Divinity School), acknowledged to be one of the outstanding contemporary Old Testament scholars, is professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Regent College in Vancouver. He has authored and coauthored numerous books, commentaries, and articles, and contributed to dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Wisdom for Confused People, June 30, 2003

By 

David A. Vosseller "davhoops" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding the Will of God?: A Pagan Notion? (Paperback)

Many sincere believers in their commendable desire to seek God's will wind up using very un-Biblical methods of guidance. With the knowledge of a Biblical scholar, the clarity of an excellent teacher, and the wisdom of one who has walked with the Lord a long time, Bruce Waltke has given us a wonderful summary and practical description of what it truly means to seek God's will (and Waltke explains and clarifies all the meanings that phrase can carry). As the author would say, "One does not divine God's will. One lives God's will as one comes to know Him through His word." (pp. 71).

This is not merely a critique of many modern ways of "seeking God's will", but also a Biblical description of God's pattern of guidance for the believer. As his later chapter titles sum up, God's program for guidance includes (in order): Read your Bible, Develop a Heart for God, Seek Wise Counsel, Look for God's Providence, Does this Make Sense? and (rarely) Divine Intervention. Dr. Waltke has reminded us all that our Father is not one who hides His overall purpose for our lives, and the author does a great job of showing us how our loving Father guides and leads His children. Pick up a copy today - even if you aren't facing a "major decision" right now, it will still help you gain wisdom and direction in how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A balanced and biblical view, June 20, 2005

By 

theologicalresearcher "theologicalresearcher" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding the Will of God?: A Pagan Notion? (Paperback)

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.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for living for God, May 15, 2002

By 

Bruce M. Sabin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding the Will of God?: A Pagan Notion? (Paperback)

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.