Denver Seminary

Communal discernment challenges this kind of individualism. We see numerous examples of the early church listening in plurality, from the appointing of Matthias in Acts 1 to theological decisions in Acts 15 to canonical councils. Fallen people gain confidence in the Lord's direction through interdependent listening. "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers" (Prov. 14:11). A trustworthy and mature community should challenge us, support us, and broaden our confidence in making wise choices. Therefore, we can listen to God with others and through others. LISTENING HOLISTICALLY A pros and cons list is common practice in decision-making. It's a way to systematically think through all of the implications of our options. But people are often polarized in how they engage the practice, either coolly dismissing their feelings in order to "remain rational" or going with the heart in a way that potentially baptizes desire. Ignatian spirituality offers us an example of holistic discernment in life decisions. Practitioners first submit their desires to the Spirit, seeking detachment from any inclinations on a matter other than the glory of God and the deepest expression of their true self. They ask God to shape their thoughts as they evaluate the advantages and disadvantages on a matter, even in concert with others. Then they ask God's Spirit to pervade their feelings on that matter. They notice the spirits of consolation, which move them toward God, true self, and others, and those of desolation moving them toward disordered affections. We are whole beings, not merely desiring or rational beings. We can ask God to speak to us through all of our faculties so we might respond to Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30). LISTENING HUMBLY The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15) was a critical theological turning point in the early church, in which the participants asked, Just how Jewish should Gentile Christians live? After the apostles debated and discerned God's leading, they communicated their decision by letter to area Gentiles with these words: "It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us …" (v. 28). Notice the humility in those words. They had listened for the leading of the Spirit and had come to a discerned consensus. Their decision carried apostolic authority and is now captured in the inspired Word of God. Yet their sentiment models for us a way to understand and communicate our own sense that God has spoken to us. We must uphold the perfect wisdom of the Spirit whom we hope to keep in step with (Gal. 5:5) and humbly recognize our broken motives and imperfect ability to discern His ways. Can we echo this sentiment on God's speaking: "It seems best to the Holy Spirit and to us"? LISTENING IN CALLING AND FREEDOM We might wisely root these and all other principles on how God speaks in a robust theology of calling. God's people are primarily called into salvation and to life with Him and for the world (Matt. 22:34–40). This calling is universal, applying to all believers at all times and in all places. Beyond that, God does call biblical figures to particular activities, which is usually critical to unfolding salvation history. But predominantly God calls His people to live into a certain identity. All of these senses of call are reflected in 1 Corinthians 1:1–2. So calling is primarily about who we are becoming and why we live as we do. It is only secondarily about what we specifically do or where we do it. While we are seeking God's leading, this framework can leave us with a greater sense of freedom to act when we don't tangibly sense God speaking one way or another. We can love God and serve others in Denver, Detroit, or Delhi. We can do it as parents, plumbers, or pastors. When the Living God wants to speak His will to us, can we trust that He is able to make it pretty clear? After all, He's been known to use talking donkeys, pillars of fire, and visions on the road. But more commonly, He speaks in His Word, through His people, and to the whole of who we are about who we are becoming. Brian Gray, MDiv DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND MENTORING Brian received his MDiv from Denver Seminary and served in pastoral ministry for 13 years before joining the Training and Mentoring staff in 2011 as a mentoring director. He and his wife, Kelley, (MA in counseling, 2002) have two small but spirited girls: Riley, age six, and Kate, age two. ENGAGE 9 MAKES YOU THINK Getty Images

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