While evangelical Christians seem to agree that God
guides his people, they are far from reaching a
consensus on precisely how God guides. This book
helpfully identifies and evaluates three evangelical
positions on the subject of guidance and defends what
is here called the modified wisdom view. In contrast
to both the blueprint and wisdom views, which
maintain, respectively, that God always and never
gives special, personalized messages of guidance, the
modified wisdom view argues that special guidance is
possible, but not promised, for Christians today.
Instead, God intends for Christians to make decisions
normatively by studying and wisely applying
Scripture. Smith argues that a theology of guidance
that takes into account doctrines such as divine
providence and the sufficiency of Scripture will
produce some much-needed clarity on the subject.
Interacting with contemporary authors as well as the
Reformers, Smith concludes with practical application
and three challenges for evangelicals. A helpful work
for scholars and pastors alike, this book promises to
advance the conversation regarding divine guidance.
guides his people, they are far from reaching a
consensus on precisely how God guides. This book
helpfully identifies and evaluates three evangelical
positions on the subject of guidance and defends what
is here called the modified wisdom view. In contrast
to both the blueprint and wisdom views, which
maintain, respectively, that God always and never
gives special, personalized messages of guidance, the
modified wisdom view argues that special guidance is
possible, but not promised, for Christians today.
Instead, God intends for Christians to make decisions
normatively by studying and wisely applying
Scripture. Smith argues that a theology of guidance
that takes into account doctrines such as divine
providence and the sufficiency of Scripture will
produce some much-needed clarity on the subject.
Interacting with contemporary authors as well as the
Reformers, Smith concludes with practical application
and three challenges for evangelicals. A helpful work
for scholars and pastors alike, this book promises to
advance the conversation regarding divine guidance.