God Is Not Silent.

The title of Francis Schaeffer's work, "He is There and He is Not Silent", is a captivating thought.  It is these two propositions that every person must come to grips with.  Atheism is an absurdity. William Craig Lane correctly observes: "If God does not exist, then life is objectively meaningless; but man cannot live consistently and happily knowing that life is meaningless; so in order to be happy he pretends life has meaning. But this is, of course, entirely inconsistent—for without God, man and the universe are without any real significance."

But more than that, as Schaeffer acknowledges, God is a speaking god.  He speaks. Listen to what the Lord said to Habakkuk the prophet: ““Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.” (Habakkuk 2:18, NIV).  Or recall the psalm writer in Psalm 115:4–7 (NIV),

⁴ But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. ⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. ⁶ They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. ⁷ They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Schaeffer was not only right about God's presence and His speech, but we ought to stand in awe of the tense that is used in this title.  God is Here.  God is Not Silent.  The author rightly writes in the present tense.  There is no other deity, proposed or otherwise that is speaking.  Therefore as Dr. D.A. Carson rightly concludes, "You must wrestle with what He said."  Or better, "You must wrestle with what He is saying."

Here's a fantastic example.  Read Hebrews 3:7 (NIV): "So, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear his voice."  The writer to the Hebrews is quoting from Scripture -- Psalm 95:7–11.  In this one phrase, the author communicates two ideas that are incredibly important:

1. When we read the Bible the Holy Spirit is speaking.

2. When we read the Bible the Holy Spirit is speaking – in the present.

In the Greek New Testament we read, "Διό, καθὼς λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον· Σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε."^[1]  That little word  λέγει (the third word in the sentence) is written in the present active tense.  I think it was John Piper that reminds us that if we want to hear God speak; close your door, open your Bible; and read out loud.

This is an important challenge to those of us who are in Christ.  It is also a challenge to those who are not Christians. I hear things like, "I have to find my own way."  God is gracious and will at times, in mercy, meet us where we are.  But if you want to experience God and hear Him speak to you, prayerfully read your Bible. He is a speaking God. You MUST wrestle with what He says.

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^[1] Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (Heb 3:7). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.