1. Attitudes and Principles
When God Is Silent
Part 1
Attitudes and Principles

2. Attitudes and Principles
We will examine two different attitudes toward God’s silence: permissive and prohibitive
We will examine seven different principles related to God’s silence

3. Two Attitudes Toward God’s Silence
1. Some religious people believe that when the Bible is silent about a matter, then one is permitted to do it
2. Other religious people believe that when the Bible is silent about a matter, then one is prohibited from doing it

4. Two Attitudes Toward God’s Silence
The Protestant Reformers (A.D. 1500’s)
The Restorationists (A.D. 1800’s)
Members of the Lord’s church today
Members of denominations today

5. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
1. We are told not to add to or take from God’s word
OT principle (Num. 22:18; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:5-6)
NT principle (Rev. 22:18-19)

6. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
2. We can know what pleases God only from what he has revealed by his words
OT principle (Deut. 29:29)
NT principle (1 Cor. 2:10-11)

7. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
3. We must act by God’s expressed (spoken) authority, not by his silence
Colossians 3:17
1 John 3:4

8. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
4. Faith comes by hearing God’s word, not by presuming upon God’s silence
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6

9. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
5. When we speak (preach or teach), we must use God’s words, not his silence (1 Pet. 4:11)
Practiced by Balaam (Num. 24:13), Micaiah (1 K. 22:14), Jesus (Lk. 12:48- 50), and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13)

10. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
6. “Good works” are contained in scripture, not in silence
Colossians 1:10
2 Timothy 3:16-17

11. 7 Principles Related to God’s Silence
7. God wants us to pay attention to his words (speech), not his silence
Obey words (Mt. 4:4; 7:24; 17:5)
Judged by words (Jn. 12:28; Rev. 20:12; note also 20:15)

12. When God Is Silent
What have we learned from the two attitudes toward silence?
What have we learned from the seven principles related to silence? God’s speech permits and God’s silence prohibits!