A Biblical Inaccuracy

Well, here's my 2 cents :)

Kimbop was right, Jesus does not hear the prayers of unbelievers, and you would know this if you read your KJV Bible. Also, bringing unbelievers to salvation is a whole other story. The Holy Spirit convict's peoples hearts to be saved, that's not necessarily speaking to them. God doesn't physically speak to anyone.

In the movie, we are led to believe that it was God speaking through Missy when she spoke up to take Belinda into her home, and again when Belinda cried out so that the sheriff could hear her. Perhaps the author is not intending to say that God literally spoke, but that the individuals were "guided" in some way by God. Either way, the Scriptures do not support those ideas. The Bible teaches that God revealed His word through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that word was confirmed with miracles and signs (i.e. Hebrews 2:3-4). We have the completed revelation today, and the Bible is what guides us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

You asked, "If God does not speak to unbelievers as well as believers, how do you get them to believe?" The Bible answers that question: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings fo good things!' But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our report?' So then FAITH COMES BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD" (Romans 10:14-17). Paul also wrote in Romans that he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the "power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (1:16).

God answers prayers in many ways: with a "yes," "no," or "not yet," for example. But the Scriptures teach that God does not hear the prayers of sinners. The word "hear" means answer or act upon. "And we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, he hears him" (John 9:31). When the sheriff prayed, he was not a Christian - not even a believer. His prayer was one of, "I don't know think you exist, but if you do, please hear me." Expecting God to hear a prayer in that situation is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

Throughout the Bible, we read how God communicated with mankind in various ways. In Hebrews 1:1, the writer sums that up pretty well: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….”

During the time the New Testament books were being inspired and written, the disciples did not have a complete revelation like we do today. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” That which is “in part” is contrasted with that which is “perfect” or complete (which is what the original Greek word translated “perfect” means). Today we have the completed or “perfect” revelation or knowledge of God through the collective inspired writings we call the Bible.

So how do I know that Jesus doesn’t speak to us today like He did then? He doesn’t have to because 1) we have the completed revelation now, and 2) the written word is described as that which “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-27). If the Scriptures do all that, what would additional revelation (by God or Christ directly to each individual) add to what we already have? If the Scriptures provide what man needs to be complete, why do we need something else? And if God speaks directly to us as individuals, how do you account for all the contradictions? Does God contradict himself?

You wrote, “But never have I heard someone argue that God does not speak to nonbelievers or hear their prayers.” I posted a quote from the Bible in which John writes that God does not hear sinners. Why do you ignore that verse? I think you misunderstood my comment regarding God’s communication with unbelievers. I will repeat myself one more time: John wrote, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him” (John 9:31). The Bible says that God does not hear sinners. You say God does. I believe the Bible over man every time. I think it’s important to understand two things mentioned in this verse: what does “hear” mean and what is a “sinner”? “Hear” is not referring to God’s ability to hear with His ears what the sinner says. “Hear” in this context means to answer (see Zechariah 7:13). If God hears the one who worships and obeys Him, but doesn’t hear the “sinner,” the sinner would be the one who does NOT worship God and does NOT obey Him.

God DOES communicate to the sinner – through His inspired word. Paul said that the gospel is God’s power unto salvation. The gospel message is written in the inspired word of God. Paul also wrote that faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). The word of God is how a sinner comes to know God and to obtain faith.

Paul had a direct conversation with Jesus. This does not apply to us. See above.

You quoted Joyce Meyers. I chose to follow the inspired word of God rather than man’s word.

My comment regarding “asking in faith” was specific to the storyline in the movie in which the sheriff begins his prayer to God with, “I don’t even know if I believe in you.” The Bible certainly addresses the importance of “asking in faith” (see James 1:6-8); however, I’m referring to someone who confesses to be an unbeliever asking something of someone he doesn’t even believe in! James says that a man asking without faith should not “suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”

If you want to continue this discussion, you can email me. But I don’t see any purpose in doing so unless we can reason from the Scriptures alone and avoid quoting man’s commentary to support our beliefs.