Dreams, Deliverance, and Sola Scriptura
What is to be our response when a well-known professing prophet claims that God spoke to him in a dream and told him that he was going to receive a new operating system for the current generation? Are we obligated to obey a professing modern-day apostle’s book on deliverance ministry that is said to contain fresh revelation on particular passages directly from God? When individuals claim such revelations from God while stating to hold to sola Scriptura, how are we to respond?
I find the topic of sola Scriptura particularly relevant right now having acknowledged the significance of Reformation Day. For years, I did not understand this term because I had not heard this term discussed in detail. The Word of God would be stated as valuable, but then personal experiences were elevated and even pursued and revered. Those who could testify of personally hearing God’s voice and having supernatural experiences were viewed as really knowing God. Scripture would be utilized to draw out secret or hidden prophetic revelation said to be revealed by God. It is safe to say that personal experiences were of equal value to what Scripture had to say, though this would be denied. However, it is important for us as believers to acknowledge and to understand the importance of having a high view of Scripture and what sola Scriptura means.
An important point to consider when addressing such claims and teaching is the difference between sola Scriptura and prima Scriptura. Admittedly, I had not heard the term prima Scriptura until the past few years. According to this author, “Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.” As believers in Christ, we are to rest upon Scripture alone as our final authority for truth. Prima Scriptura is the belief that God’s Word is the primary way in which God speaks to His people, but it is not the only way. Though Scripture is viewed as authoritative under the belief of prima Scriptura, there are other means by which revelation can come, which could also be authoritative. This includes, traditions, dreams, visions, angels, etc.
With regards to areas of the Charismatic movement and those who would hold to teachings associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, there is concern that the claim to dreams from self-professing prophets and divine revelation given to a self-professing apostle are undermining the sufficiency of Scripture and denying sola Scriptura. Rather, these claims seem to agree with prima Scriptura, and the claim to God speaking to an individual should not be taken lightly. At no point in God’s Word is it understood to be a suggestion or without authority. Those who are leaders within these movements, claiming to hear God and to speak on behalf of God, are speaking authoritatively. The question could be posed that if an “apostle” or “prophet” claim to receive revelation from the Holy Spirit on a matter, are we not obligated to obey the instructions? If we reject this revelation, are we not risking rebelling against God Himself?
As someone who came out of the modern prophetic movement, I now understand why having this high view of Scripture is so important. Modern prophecies, dreams, and visions are claimed with authority in the name of God while denying equal authority with Scripture. It seems contradictory to make this distinction, and it seems to agree with the belief of prima Scriptura. If we consider these occurrences, we should understand that God has never spoken without authority. He is God, and we are obligated to obey Him. There are practices within this movement where people are told prophecy can be fallible while the professing prophet is not deemed a false prophet. The issue is said to simply lie in wrongly transmitting what God said. Practices in hearing God’s voice personally are encouraged, and for some, standing on the Word alone for instruction and understanding are deemed religious and dead practices.
I believe the practices done within such beliefs bring an assault to sola Scriptura while leaving people with a poor understanding of Scripture. When personal experiences are desired and pursued above being a student of the Word and growing in fellowship with God by understanding His Word more and treasuring the gospel of Jesus Christ daily, we set ourselves up for error and deception. We become starved sheep. The Protestant Reformation established the five solas, one being Scripture alone, sola Scriptura. God’s Word is authoritative for our lives, and it is sufficient in guiding us in our spiritual lives. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, and the truth is found in the Word He authored. God has left us His sufficient Word. We can trust that when we read it, God has spoken.
Excerpts from this article were originally featured here: Why Is Sola Scriptura Important? (christianity.com)
Listen to this in-depth episode concerning this topic: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: Dreams, Deliverance, and Sola Scriptura on Apple Podcasts
2 thoughts on “Dreams, Deliverance, and Sola Scriptura”
Hi Dawn,
This is spoken in an irenic way.
We all know in part. Not expecting you to change.
Just asking questions, as I try to be a good Berean.
Where in scripture, as the written word of God, does it say that God only speaks through his writing? Scripture (both Old and New Testaments) itself bears testimony that God can speak in many ways such as dreams, visions prophetic words, and wise counsel. Many many examples.
Of note, are the recent numerous testimonies of Muslims who are now coming to Christ after having unexpected dreams and visions of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is still active in the world and moving as he wills. I would not be the one to tell him where he may blow and when. Other revelations must be checked to see that they do not disagree with the written Word. Agreed.
But Hudson Taylor is an example of how specific guidance didn’t come from scripture. He had the general revelation of scripture to fulfill the Great Commission. But there is no verse that told him go to China or the strategy to use. The Holy Spirit had to give him wisdom and guidance to fulfill his calling as he walked on Brighton Beach. I think mission history validates that Hudson heard fromthe Holy Spirit.
Although 1 Corinthians 13 says that prophecy will pass away, there is debate about the meaning of “when the perfect comes.” It is not clear. Some scholars argue that it’s when the New Testament was written. Other scholars argue that it was when the canon was settled. There’s no clear scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit has stopped dispensing any of his gifts. I would expect greater scriptural clarity if this was a critical doctrine.
The fact that in later times gifts were not seen by some, is not valid as an argument for cessation. An argument based on perceived absence assumes an omniscience none of us has. Other reasons may be coming into play such as the increasing worldliness of the church and more reliance on a Greek intellectual mindset to understand theology. Especially after Constantine and the Edict of Milan in 313 which brought in religious tolerance. Later on it became mandatory to be a Christian. In 380 the emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
All this above is similar to how atheists argue. They say that because they have not encountered evidence for God, this means he does not exist. But it is dangerous to argue from absence.
Sola Scriptura is an idea that Luther brought to counter the non- biblical theology of the Catholic Church such as purgatory, indulgences, praying to saints and to Mary as mediatrix.
My understanding of what Luther meant by Sola Scriptura was that any doctrine presented to him had to be proven by means of scripture. This is different from the idea that the written word was the only revelation of God.
‘When Luther debated Eck at Leipzig, he clearly laid down the Reformation plank of sola Scriptura. At Worms in 1521, he stood upon Scripture. “My conscience is captive to the Word of God,” he thundered. He was convinced that Scripture alone is the church’s final authority.’ https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2017/10/luther-and-his-significance/
So if scripture is the final authority, and I believe it is, then we need to wrestle with it and keep wrestling with it, along with all the implications of that wrestling. Which includes all its testimony to all the ways God reveals himself. Blessings and grace upon you.
Excellent!! I agree wholeheartedly with your very well-articulated comment!
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