Comments on Reformed Theology and its Threat

Here are some points for discussion:

1) I agree with his points of caution on Calvinist and Arminianism teachings on how a person comes to faith:
Calvinist- God determined it so you can't do anything to change it.
Arminian- I have to invite Jesus; I have to decide to believe.

2) I agree that people are longing for and asking "What is the will of God for me in my life?"
I agree with his statement that "We can say nothing with certainty about the will of God apart from the revealed Word of God! If we want to know the will of God, let us marry the Scriptures! God gives us, not a code book of rules or a canon law that eliminates greedom and choice, but principles to guide us in the making of decisions and choices, which choices, motivated by the gospel, will be pleasing to God, whether we choose this or that." P.3

However...

3) He states on page 4, "But don't we pray from his guidance when we have to make choices? Of course we do. But we do not pray for him to make the decision for us. We do not ask him to reveal ot our innermost being his hidden will. Nor do we expect him to blow in our ear. We ask for his guidance and for his blessing our OUR decision, that it may be made and the work done to his glory and for the benefit of our neighbor."

Ooops. I've been praying asking God to show me which direction to go on a decision.

For example, I asked God to clearly communicate to me which call to take when I had 2 (at that time my one in Denver and a new one in Appleton). God did clearly communicate to me which call to accept.

Another example that my wife Carolann can testify to is that when I received the call to Pullman, WA God wispered in her heart that that was where I was to go. While at the time I was stubborn and refused to listen to God's voice. I was saying "No, this isn't right." God showed me through Carolann and other people, events and His own wispering in my ear that Pullman was the call for me.

4) The author refers to a recent WELS video where a woman discussing a pre-school program said "We had planned it for our members and expected it to be small. ...But sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to us and leads us in an altogether different direction. We have to follow where his speaking lead us." The author continues, "Why couldn't she just have said: 'We decided to invite our neighbors. God blessed our efforts beyond our fondest expectations, so that now...' Why this speaking of the Holy Spirit a part from his Word?" p.14

Does God still speak outside of His Word?
I think so.
Look at what is recorded in Acts:
8:26 God speaking to Phillip;
9:4-9 ...to Saul/Paul;
9:10-16 ...to Ananias;
10:3-6 ...to Cornelius;
16:9-10 ...to Paul;
20:22 Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem
20:23 the Holy Spirit warned Paul that he would face hardships
27:23-24 ...to Paul

In all the above cases God made decisions and communicated them to his people.
And it was "outside" of His Word.

I supposed we should have a discussion on what the phrase "outside of God's Word" means.