The Silence of God

by Robert Anderson

The Silence of God is Robert Anderson's interpretation of the message of the Apostle Paul, delivered in the lucid tone for which the author is renowned. This edition includes both of the author's appendices.
Anderson considers why the heavens, and God within them, are silent to all but a tiny number of believers. Beginning his narration with stark allusions to the ensuing genocide in Armenia - in which many of the victims were Christian - Anderson does not shy away from the cruelty of the world, and the crimes perpetrated by man against man. We must not withdraw from the world, the author posits, but must live in it carrying a virtuous and Christian mentality despite its hardships.
Revised and reprinted many times, The Silence of God was one of Anderson's most appreciated commentaries. A clear and thoughtful presentation of the New Testament wisdom which remains completely in touch with the day-to-day realities of our world, Anderson offers both spiritual clarity and no-nonsense wisdom.
As a high-ranking police detective and commissioner working in London's Scotland Yard, Sir Robert Anderson famously applied the reasoning he used to solve crimes to various religious topics. Above all, Anderson was a committed Christian whose Biblical scholarship placed him equal to some of the greatest theologians and academics of his era.

Genres: Theology

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Sir Robert Anderson KCB was the second Assistant Commissioner (Crime) of the London Metropolitan Police, from 1888 to 1901. He was also an intelligence officer, theologian and writer.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Pastor Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Robert Anderson is best known for his classic work, "The Coming Prince," which I am about to read, again. And with that and this work, I can say without any doubt that Anderson has had a more positive impact on believers than all but a few in Church History. And that impact continues.

This treatment of, "The Silence of God," answers the skeptic, the charismatic heretic and the sincere Bible believer with questions. There is something for everyone and this is a book that pastors should have in church libraries while also encouraging members to purchase and share at home, with copies ready to give away to the skeptics and hereticks that they cross paths with.

For the most part, the author directs his attention to the skeptics and names names (of those prevalent in his own day, of course). Names like Balfour, Gladstone, ... are mentioned throughout and Anderson answers them with devastating accuracy and clarity.

But he also does aim his guns at the charlatans and "healers" that were deceiving people increasingly in the last half of the 19th century and which would become the Pentecostal Charismatic movement of the 60's, 70's and so on. I will not repeat his explanations (read the book!) but I agree with him that nearly all such "healings" and "miracles" are either healing of psychosomatic diseases originating in the mind, staged fakery or even demonic activity. That God may choose to heal in answer to prayer or to intervene in a "miraculous" fashion is a fact, but the "movements" and hysterical meetings are NOT examples of such legitimate divine intervention.

Finally, and most importantly, this book will set the genuine Bible believer on solid footing and increase your faith in the veracity of the word of God (with a couple of slight exceptions where Anderson gives into the "revised version", etc.) and the comfort of, "The Silence of God," as we wait for His return, as Scripture says:

Titus 2:13 (KJV) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (KJV) "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

[Tom James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author deals with the difficult question as to why God has been silent with no "public miracle" to attest to His existence for almost 2,000 years. Anderson's view is that in this age of grace, which was inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Christ, God has said all that He is going to say to us. The next time God speaks, it will be when Christ returns to this world in judgement. His view makes sense, although he builds his case on logic and deductions from Scripture that are not explicitly stated. Nevertheless, the book does give food for thought. He does not dismiss healings and answers to prayer, but argues that these incidents in the lives of believers does not negate the fact that God is not revealing Himself with public miracles today as He did in Biblical times.

[STEVEN R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly and reverent


A scholarly treatment of a complex issue by one who adored Jesus Christ as God's full revelation of Himself to a lost mankind.

[Paul Vawter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters four and five alone are worth the price of the book.

[Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give 4 stars for some of the really wonderful comments and testimony he often bore of our Savior. The final conclusion -- the answer to why God is Silent now -- is in error though, but many of his arguments to get to that conclusion are very much worth reading. Obviously he was a scholar and well versed in the Bible. The hard part of reading this, though, given it was probably written around the 1860's, is that there were quotes and references to other people's theories and conclusions that I didn't know what he was talking about. He was making arguments against what they said or believed, so it was kind of hard to follow.

I didn't agree with the conclusions of Chapter Eleven -- conclusions about the reality of Satan. By the end of the chapter though, I understood where he was going and understood even how he got there, but there's a few truths he missed along the way. It was interesting that some of what he believed and concluded does tie with LDS theology, which is different than many other religions' beliefs, but the final answers are mostly different.

Chapter Nine had a wonderful summary of the meaning of the Good Samaritan parable.

I can't put all of the wonderful quotes here, but here are three that I think are really great (maybe because I agree with them!):

"Christ was Himself the reality of every type, the substance of every shadow, the fulfilment of every promise of the old religion [Old Testament]... His purpose was not to set these aside that he might set up others in their place -- He came, not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them."

In talking about miracles --
"...while there is not recorded a single instance in the whole course of His ministry where faith appealed to Him in vain... neither is there recorded a solitary instance where the challenge of unbelief was rewarded by a miracle. Every challenge of the kind was met by referring the caviller to the Scriptures. ... His chief credentials were to be sought in the Scriptures which foretold His coming."
"It is nowhere suggested that they [miracles] were given to accredit the teaching; their evidential purpose was solely and altogether to accredit the Teacher."

"The Bible was written for honest hearts. It is addressed, moreover, to spiritual men [and women]."

[Alan Lestini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great theological look at why Heaven "appears" to be silent in these last days... Might want to re-read this one & catch the scripture references on the second time through. Great look at why churchiosity & religion are not the answer, but Christ alone!

[Matthew Hon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his thoughts on why God doesn't just judge those who do wrong. I disagreed with his view on Satan however.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading.

[Bud Hewlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dispensational, which I liked, but was somewhat slow reading.