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SMED, JOHN F. (2016) God In the Conversation, Prayer Current, Vancouver.
I am working with a parachurch, prayer ministry and reading through materials. My former pastor relates an interesting story.
He was in discussion with a person and was asked: 'When someone prays, does it really matter what they call God? Aren't all prayers accepted by God no matter what name we use?' (12).
My former pastor at a later point in time, intentionally addressed this person with the wrong name.
This person, in reply, sounded a 'bit miffed.' (13).
He asked:
'Why does it matter which name I use?' (13).
'It matters to me.' (13).
Stated the person.
Further my former pastor stated:
'God doesn't go by just ant name. God has an identity...His name reveals who he is. It matters to him what you call him - just like it matters to you.' (14).
I favour philosophy of religion as an academic discipline for philosophically reasoning out religious truths. These truths fit under the category of 'All truth is God's truth' even if not directly verified by scripture. In fact, I think it is an intellectual handicap to not combine philosophy of religion with theology and biblical studies. Therefore, my academic approach up to my PhD and following.
But apart from a reasonable exegesis of scripture, accurate theology and regeneration by the Holy Spirit (John 3), God cannot be known, relationally. For example, Romans 1: 17 explains that the righteousness of God is revealed to those in faith. Jesus Christ's righteousness is imputed to those legally justified in Christ. This would not be deduced through reason alone. The gospel message is revealed and cannot be merely speculated upon accurately to know God, personally. This is due to the finite nature and sinfulness of humanity. Sin in particular, corrupts human understanding.
God is infinite and can technically hear all prayers, but simply praying to a generic God, does not make it prayer to the actual biblical God. These prayers are technically heard but are dealt with outside of relationship.
Prayer Current.com
