Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion?

by Bruce K. Waltke

New edition of a popular, biblically based guidebook exploring God’s will
 
Does the Bible teach Christians to “find” God’s “special will” for their lives? No, it does not, says respected biblical scholar Bruce Waltke, contrary to much popular evangelical teaching. In this acclaimed book Waltke clearly distinguishes between pagan divination (“guessmancy”) and solid, Bible-based guidance as he distills from Scripture a six-point program to help guide Jesus followers on their life journey.
 
This expanded and extensively rewritten second edition of Waltke’s Finding the Will of God incorporates the best insights from many other books on guidance that have appeared since the first edition came out (2002), and it includes an entirely new chapter on learning to protect one’s heart. This edition also features thoughtful questions for reflection at the end of each chapter.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Bruce K. Waltke is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary, Fort Lauderdale, and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Regent College, Vancouver.

Reviews

[Bill Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To approach this book, you really need to imagine you are in the study, getting advice from your grandfather. . .who happens to be a scholar, a philologist, fluent in thirteen Ancient Near Eastern languages. As erudite as Bruce Waltke is--Hebrew grammarian, Commentator, Bible translator--he never leaves the reader behind.

You will find the tone of this compact, readable manual to be personable, pastoral and encouraging, yet weighty and constructive. Gently, wisely, Dr. Waltke challenges easy assumptions of credulous Christian teaching, for example:

"Rather than asking for Him to 'reveal His will,' we ask Him to develop His character in our lives. Then we will know how He thinks and what is important to Him--then we will know His will."

Demystifying, yet never anti-supernatural, Finding The Will of God: A Pagan Notion? consistently delivers a thoroughgoing biblical worldview, applied with the skill of a master builder. For me, the applied wisdom of each chapter outshines the attempt to systematize the whole into a "six point program," which is a calculus foreign to the book's own covenantal presuppositions.

My remarks and the above quote are from the first edition, 1995, but I buy and share copies of the most current printing. That's how strongly I feel that everyone seeking to know the revealed mind of God and wanting to shed superstitious and "pagan notions" needs to read this unassuming little book.

[Sara Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had gone on my own journey to discover "God's Will" and "purpose" for my life, and it was through His word that I discovered the truths that Waltke presented. I was particularly impacted by the second part of the book, "God's Program of Guidance." I must admit, I did cringe a bit when a “step-by-step system” was presented, but at the same time, I can see how it would be valuable to one being introduced to it. You have to step back and see that in the end, all of it becomes natural as you grow in a relationship with Christ..

What I valued most about this book was, of course, knowing that it was based and pointed entirely on God's Word. I value truth and so much of the content was already affirmed and evident in my life. Even still, I am challenged. It wasn't a strict "you must do this and that to achieve this," but it was presented in a way that shows what can happen when you have a relationship with Christ. There is so much concern about "doing it right" that people lose sight of that.

I also inwardly applauded as I read the afterward. The emphasis on the Spirit and His role in teaching us scripture is something that – sadly enough – needs to be put out there before the church establishment today.

There is nothing hidden, no mystery to who we are and what we need to do. We have His WORD available to us. There is no need to be “purpose-driven.” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Hide your life in Christ's. It takes effort, yes, but any meaningful relationship always does.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book redefines the phrase "seeking God`s will" by exploring the elements of pagan rituals that influences our notion that God purposefully hides His will from His children.
Furthermore it warns us that by using the phrase "seeking GOd`s will" we are providing ourselves and others a misrepresentation of what we really want to say, that is "living God's will."
More importantly, Waltke explains how to "live in God`s will", outlining specific actions we should take in order to know and live a life that is as God wants us to live. Throughout he explanations, he supports his explanations through extensive use of Bible verses, examples of people in the Old and New Testament, and his personal experiences. He also provides commentary about His own shortcomings and struggles in living God`s will.
This book really helped me to rethink how I view my relationship with God, how I (mis)trust Him, and how to change my life so that I am living God`s will. It does not tell you what jobs to pick in the future, what kind of life to live, but it does show you how to live a Christ-like life so that you would learn to discover the answers to these questions in God. It breaks down a lot of my own personal barriers concerning how I live and where I am headed for in the future. After reading this book, I am able to trust God and my relationship with God more because I am reading His words and trusting in God`s omni-potence.
However, he makes certain religious commentaries about current social issues, like homosexuality, without providing a thorough explanation for how it is related to "living God`s will." They pop up sparingly, but at certain points in the book like a thorn in a rosebush. I wished he would have provided further explanation to weave his commentaries into his explanations. The lack of Biblica support for his commentaries made those insertions confusing and awkward.

[Gene Helsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waltke's excellent book is a potent remedy for the myriads of Christians who spend the bulk of their time trying to discern the "secret will of God" instead of applying themselves to the "revealed will of God." Waltke helps the believer discern the difference between God's revealed and secret wills along with helpful advice on how to make decisions consistent with the former. Very good. Very helpful. This book, if carefully read and applied, will set free many a bound-up Christian who erroneously think it is their duty to discern what God has purposed to keep secret.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter where one is in their Christian walk, I am convinced that anyone would receive eye-opening gems of wisdom by reading this book. A relatively short and easy read, Waltke's style of writing is superb. He fully backs the entire book with a plethora of scripture and provides easy-to-understand real life sceanarios. I would recommend this book to any Christian; especially young Christians struggling with God's will.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.

[Paul, · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you take this book primarily as an apologetic against other views on finding God's will and how to frame the question, it does pretty well. It does a decent job of tearing down the theological basis for "waiting on special revelation", a propensity of many well-meaning Christians.

"When I hear Christians talking about the will of God, they often use phrases such as "If only I could find God's will," as though He is keeping it hidden from them, or "I'm praying that I'll discover His will for my life," because they apparently believe the Lord doesn't want them to find it, or that He wants to make it as hard as possible for them to find so that they will prove their worth. Unfortunately, these concepts do not mesh with the balance of Scripture." (p.5)

The basic argument is that the determining the will of God is a non-Christian idea. God has let us know his will through His word. In the New Testament, God occasionally miraculously intervenes and gives specific guidance, but it is never the result of seeking "additional revelation".

"When we talk of "finding God's will" we generally want divine guidance on specific choices, but it should he noted that this specific term is never used after the Holy Spirit came upon the church at Pentecost. The apostles, upon whom the church is founded, did not teach that we are to seek God's will in this way. Instead, the New Testament offers us a program of the Father's guidance that is based upon having a close relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit." (p.8)

That is true, as far as it goes. However, if you are looking for a new framework to replace the old one, then you are going to come away disappointed. This book has a lot of theological and philosophical shortcomings, muddy thinking, and cliches.

I don't want to get into all of those. But an easy one is to examine Waltke's hierarchy for decision making.

1. Read the Bible
2. Search your heart / desires (assuming you are conforming yourself to God)
3. Seek Wise Counsel
4. Look for special circumstances as confirmation
5. Use your mind
a. Consider Scripture
b. Consider your gifting
c. Consider your ability
d. Consider your circumstances
e. Consider your life strategy
6. Be open to Divine Intervention

The biggest and most obvious mistake is to put the Bible and the mind separate, as if the Bible can be understood apart from the mind. What Waltke is going after is that the Bible doesn't always makes sense, as well as being a foundation for our thinking. However, the way it is written it is as if we have direct access to pure truth instead of that truth being mediated through our brain.

The next mistake, in my opinion, is putting our desires as the primary determiner of what we can do, provided that our desires don't directly contradict Scripture. That seems like a terrible idea to me. I really, really want a sports car. There's nothing in the Scripture that contradicts me getting a sports car. My friends want me to get a sports car. I see an ad for a sports car on tv. My desire is more important than my mind (which falls in at number 5), which tells me that going into debt for transportation is a bit silly. As long as God doesn't do an actual miracle, then, in this framework, I'm getting a sports car. Placing logic last means that cultural sins can't be confronted, it means that immature believers don't have much ground to stand on when confronting non-optimal desires. This framework seems to be based on the idea that "not evil" is the same as "good". However, three is a big difference between Mother Theresa and Tim Tebow. Both are good people. But one was really, really good.

This book is full of muddy thinking. Somewhat astonishingly, Waltke regularly associates "heart" with "emotions" in the Hebrew text, which he should know better than to do. Contradictions are taken in stride, false analogies abound. I respect Waltke for taking the first steps out of a broken paradigm. That is difficult work, and I think he is on the right track. However, in my opinion, there is still a lot of work to be done here in creating a truer framework for decision making. Gary Friesen has taken bigger strides in Decision Making and the Will of God by presenting biblical wisdom as a framework for decision making, though his work is also unbalanced and incomplete.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It truly was amazing. So concrete and so easy to understand, yet so in depth. It affirmed many things I already knew and put me on track re: a few things I have been missing.

Like Alice, I found his sudden references to homosexuality lacking/off-putting. And that opinion is not about whether I agree or disagree with him - that's irrelevant. The issue is he just dropped it in, never discussed it in depth, and then left it.

Overall this book has been incredibly helpful to me and I'll be sad to give it back to the people who loaned it to me. I'll have to find my own copy; I can totally see myself periodically rereading it.

[Connor Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Really challenged me to consider my ways and be wary of unintentional divination. This book shifted my paradigm quite a bit. Well-written but very practical and easy to follow. Exegetical but always accessible. 4.5.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book I have read on the will of God. The author, who wrote the revised edition in his eighties, brings together Biblical scholarship, life experience and a deep love for Christ and the Word.

In Part 1, Waltke challenges the practice of seeking God’s will (through pagan methods) by demanding signs, special impressions, revelations and an inner sense of peace.

In Part 2, which makes up the bulk of the book, he offers a six step “God’s Program of Guidance.”
1. Read Your Bible. This is foundational. Waltke not only knows his Bible, he loves it and teaches well how to read it.
2. Develop a Heart for God. When the Lord of all rules your life, he rules your desires. "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
3. Seek Wise Counsel. Waltke cites Scripture and offers practical insights into taking the counsel of mature, wise Christians.
4. Recognize God’s Providence. Providence is the element to life that we do not control. This helpful section deals with “time and chance,” the answer “No,” and the fact that we will not always understand God’s will.
5. Does it Make Sense? After working through the previous steps, we still may not feel led by God. When this happens, we look at our circumstances and use our heads.
6. Divine Intervention. As Christians, we are open to the possibility that God sovereignly intervenes in our lives, even though we do not depend on miracles to guide us. Using Biblical examples, Waltke explains why we do not depend on miracles to determine God’s will.

Waltke is a Bible scholar who writes carefully and clearly. His love for his Saviour shines through. While cautioning against subjective silliness, he does not neglect the inner work and witness of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian.

[George P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce K. Waltke, Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016).

In this book, Bruce K. Waltke asks a provocative question: “Is finding God’s will a biblical idea?” He concludes that it is not. Indeed, he claims that phrases such as “finding God’s will” and “seeking the will of God” reflect “a pagan notion” and amount to “divination,” which the Bible condemns. This is a strong claim, of course—perhaps a bit too strong.

On the other hand, Waltke is right to point out at least two faulty assumptions in the notion of “finding God’s will.” The first is that God makes His will difficult to know. When Christians become anxious about “finding God’s will,” they are implicitly saying that God hasn’t made His will known to them or that He is hiding it or that it is, in some sense, “lost” and in need of “finding.” But do such implications square with the character of God as revealed in the Bible?

“If we really believe in God as the perfectly loving Father,” Waltke writes, “we can do away with our notions of him as an almighty manipulator and con man who never quite lets us discover his will. God is not a magician or trickster. God loves us enough that he sent his Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. So does it make sense that he would play games with his children, hiding his will?”

Another faulty assumption with “finding God’s will” has to do with people’s motivation. Waltke relates a conversation he had with a young man who was “seeking God’s will.” He says, “I asked that young man who his god is. Is it the Almighty God, who created us and in love sent his Son to die on the cross for us? Or is it personal success, with the right car, the perfect home, and the ideal job? God is more interested in my holiness than in my success.”

I once saw an Instagram meme with the first of Campus Crusade’s “Four Spiritual Laws” printed in the foreground: “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.” In the background was the picture of a Christian facing lions in the Roman Colosseum. It’s a funny way of making a serious point: Sometimes, God’s will for His people involves suffering, pain, and even death. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Given that most people interested in “finding God’s will” want to avoid that kind of outcome, you can see why Waltke thinks “finding God’s will” is a “pagan notion.”

The antidote to “finding God’s will” is “following the guidance of God.” Waltke begins with the assumption that God reveals His will for us in Scripture. “What God desires from each of us [is] that we humbly think his thoughts; in this way we humbly learn to obey him.” Once we have learned God’s will from Scripture, we turn to what we desire to do. “God created you,” Waltke writes, “and if you have the mind of Christ, he shapes your perspective and character.” Often God leaves decisions up to the Christ-shaped choices of His followers. In that sense, Waltke affirms what Augustine wrote centuries ago: “Love God and do what you want.” After the Bible and personal desire, Waltke discusses “wise counsel” from others, “circumstances, “sound reasoning,” and “miraculous interventions.” People whose thoughts are shaped by Scripture, whose desires are formed in Christlikeness, who receive advice from godly believers, who make the most of the circumstances God has placed them in, who uses their brain, and who responds affirmatively when God miraculously leads them are following God’s guidance. They are doing God’s will.

As a Pentecostal, I read Waltke’s book with people in my “tribe” in mind. Pentecostals are Bible people through and through, but there are also restless people in our Movement who are always looking for the latest communiqué from God—a sign, a voice, a vision—about what to do next. Waltke’s book is a good counterbalance to that tendency, a reminder that Scripture is “the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct,” in the words of the Assemblies of God’s Statement of Fundamental Truths. While Waltke—a Calvinist theologian—is open to miraculous interventions, my guess is that he would say that they happen less frequently than we say they do. Pentecostal readers need to keep this difference of emphasis and experience in mind as they read his book.

Still, I recommend Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? It challenges faulty assumptions about “finding God’s will” and sketches an easy-to-remember framework for “following the guidance of God.” It would make a good resource for a sermon series on the will of God, though Pentecostals will want to tweak it here and there. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it appropriate for small group use too.

_____
P.S. This review first appeared at InfluenceMagazine.com.

P.P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book on the concept of "finding the will of God." In summary, Waltke says we should not focus on "finding the will of God" (an essentially pagan notion), but rather "follow the guidance of God." Biblical examples of decision making, both good and bad, are discussed throughout the book. Many years ago, I read MacArthur's Found: God's Will, and it has been formative in my understanding of the topic. Waltke is very much in line with that little book, but covers the biblical text more comprehensively. Highly recommended.

[Nate Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work includes a section dealing with God's disdain for man's attempt to divine His will. Following that, Waltke walks through a series of steps for making decisions biblically. This is a good book that approaches the issue a little bit differently than DeYoung's work, Just Do Something. I would probably recommend DeYoung's book over this one for most people, although Waltke's section detailing the negative light of divination is thorough in presentation and absent from Just Do Something.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 reads: #12
Rating: 5 Stars

A helpful and liberating guide to biblical decision-making. This book includes a much needed corrective to the practice of divination so popular among Christians. It also highlights the biblical emphasis that God's will for our lives is growing in holiness and in the image of Christ.

Waltke provides a practical guide for making God-honoring decisions informed by much wisdom from the book of Proverbs.

[Robert Renteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and Necessary

Waltke deals with our tendency towards subjectivism. He puts the notion of 'finding God's will' in its place. The Scriptures are our guiding light and God has communicated his will through its varied and clear teaching. This is an excellent tool for counselers to aid those struggling at crossroads to not follow the trends today.

[Ally Harnsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freeing. I went into this book believing in a “bullseye will of God” (i.e., there is ONE college I can go to, ONE person I should marry, ONE future career I have to figure out…).

Wow, how I loved this book. How beautifully he encapsulates seeking God’s wisdom, and yet the freedom that can be found within His will.
The more we seek Him, the more we can be sure our hearts are inclined to His will. What a freeing concept!

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clear book about the will of God. It is very biblical and thus true. It deals with a lot of misunderstanding regarding this very important topic. I highly recommend it. Understanding what the Bible teaches about God's will relieve a lot of unnecessary anxiety.

[Steve Pei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waltke cannot maintain his argument that God is willing to let us know his will. His West-centric approach denies God’s work in pre-gospel cultures as well as charismatic Christianities. Overall I should say it’s a nice book on a much needed topic, but it is far too colonial and old.

[Kennedy Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me concerned for a second with the title....but this book explores the depths of finding God's will for our lives. Breaks down how it is not a set path that we are either on or not, but instead our faithfulness and devotion allows us to walk in step with the Spirit

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Should be mandatory reading for Christians - especially charismatics and Bill Johnson followers. Great philosophical discussion at the end too.

[Stephen Fix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially dead on. A much needed correction for modern pop answers to the will of God. The presentation of the material could be done slightly better or I would have given it five stars.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and balanced book on God's will in life. Recommended.

[Mark Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To understand the will of the Lord?
(Bruce Waltke Finding God’s will, a Biblical perspective):

1. Scripture
2. Heart’s desire
3. Seek wise counsel
4. Look out to circumstantial matters

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Primer on Following God

This book show the importance the word of God for making decisions. Far from following hunches, this book is steep in wisdom and common sense.

[Shaun Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I hate to admit it, I am unable to shake off my charismatic roots and inclinations in relating to God. I, however, am rock solid in my conviction that Scripture has to be studied, taught and preached in context; exegesis is the only responsible method of conveying the Word of God - I can accept no compromises in this area. I am therefore caught in the middle of two seemingly contrasting traditions that advocate contradictory methods in seeking God's will.

Waltke's theological positioning is watertight and bases his substantives on a deep reverence and faithfulness to Holy Scripture. He starts off by explaining and cautioning against many wrong methods of ascertaining God's will that Christians, modern and ancient alike, are guilty of. He then lays out an easy to follow and convincing argument on the primacy of the studying/Scripture in understanding God's will.

I was anxious, confused and unable to discern about a major life decision (choice of career), having read this book again in 2019 (last time I leafed through it in 2015), I experience God's peace and a more informed seeking and decision-making process. I heartily recommend this book and hope that you too would be thoroughly encouraged, blessed and get pointed in the right direction!

Another good book on the topic (though not as good as this) would be Kevin's Deyoung's Just do something.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical book on guidance. Exposes common fallacies about "finding God's will" and suggests there are a number of practice and sensible tools to provide guidance other than drawing lots including clear revelation in the scripture, prayer, desire, wise council, and opportunity. Points out that God isn't "hiding is will" but that doesn't mean we will understand what He's doing. I liked this book, but I found Dallas Willard's book on Guidance covered much of the same group, but was warmer and move inviting.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could have done two things in college, I would have shut down the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and made all of the survivors read this book. Waltke does a great job in showing how the standard BCM collegiate view of "knowing God's will" means usually "staring blankly (or singing wildly) until you get this impression confirming what you alraedy want to do." This is also known as shamanism.

[Neil Steinwand · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the top two books I have read on understanding God's will (The Mystery of God's Will by C. Swindoll is the other). An excellent discussion of non-biblical ways of discerning the will of God and a suggested hierarchy of steps God has provided for us to place ourselves in concert with His plans.

[Drew Van Gorder · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a sure fire way to determine the will of the God of the universe, this is an excellent book. Every believer, young, old, mature, and baby alike should read this book. The information is priceless.

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of Waltke's apologetic reasoning is a little weak, but it's not a book about apologetics so I was willing to let it slide. It was helpful in clarifying what Christians meant when they said that one is to rely primarily on the Word of God for discerning God's will.