The church today finds itself amidst a revived trend of advocating for hearing God speaking to his people apart from his word. While there are new figures in this movement, the content of their message is hardly original. One can think of late medieval mysticism’s emphasis on a mystical encounter with God or the Quakers, who exalted the inner illumination of the Spirit over Scripture. There is nothing new under the sun (Eccl. 1:9). While the recurring problem persists, so, too, the same solution solves: a recovery of the sufficiency, authority and perspicuity of Scripture. For Christians seeking a lucid and helpful guide on how to advocate for such doctrines in the midst of a strong tide of different views, Michael W. Sciarra’s If You Will Diligently Listen: Hearing God’s Voice in Scripture, is such a resource.
With so many books coming out at such a rapid pace, it is worth asking the question: Why was this book written now? Sciarra explains, “I write because of the widely popular and deceptive false teachers today, standing in opposition to Scripture’s authority and sufficiency, claiming God speaks apart from Scripture” (2). To prove this claim, he takes two chapters to survey various individuals who advocate the view that God speaks to people individually and personally apart from his revealed word. Initially, attention is drawn to major figures such as Dallas Willard (1935–2013) and Henry Blackaby (1935–2024), both crucial individuals in this trend within modern evangelicalism.
From there, Sciarra surveys this view amongst prominent evangelical figures today, such as John Mark Comer and John Eldredge. As a Presbyterian pastor, I was aware that such a belief existed, but unaware of just how widespread it has become amongst many evangelicals today. Read more»
Arie Van Weelden | “Old Problems, New Proponents: The Sufficiency of Scripture Debate in Our Day” | Modern Reformation (May 12, 2026)
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