Today, I start with a question: Because we are God's children, do we have the liberty to beckon God whenever we so desire? Our charismatic brothers and sisters certainly seem to think so. As Williams traces the history of their movement, he summarizes Wimber's theology as the precursor of his own. "Wimber held that worship draws the heart of God to his people. As worship ascends, God comes down. He becomes experienced as immanent. In the midst of this worship, people are often convicted, converted, healed, and even delivered from evil spirits. The power of God is often manifest in this worship. (143)"
I find this position difficult to reconcile with Scripture, especially the book of Job. As Jon Edwards has pointed out in a previous post, much of the book is a record of Job's questions and his demand to know answers. When God does make Himself known on Job's level, He does so on His own terms. Only then does Job realize that God does not answer to him. Instead, He asks the questions, and Job must listen in silence. At the very end, his response is one of humility: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know...Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:1-6)"
This OT example alone provides sufficient weight to counter Wimber's theology. However, the NT is also replete with commands regarding our attitude in worship. Hebrews 12:28-29 says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
I would love to ask Don Williams these questions. Whatever happened to God being Initiator in our relationship to Him? Where is His sovereignty when He must submit to our call of worship? May God forgive all of us for this arrogant pride we often display in worshiping Him.
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