Ask NT Wright Anything - Episode #227: Why Don’t I Hear from God Any More? (Classic)
Release Date: October 3, 2024
Host: Justin Brierly
Guest: N.T. Wright

1. Introduction

In Episode #227 of "Ask NT Wright Anything," host Justin Brierly reconnects with renowned theologian N.T. Wright to address listeners' profound questions about experiencing God's presence. This episode delves into personal struggles with hearing from God, the complexities of prayer, and discerning God's voice, all enriched by N.T. Wright's deep theological insights.

2. N.T. Wright’s Personal Update

Health Challenges and Coping Strategies
At the outset, N.T. Wright shares a candid update on his personal health struggles. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a month prior, Wright discusses the impact on his daily life and work.

• Physical Struggles:
  "I'm still quite a long way from anything like normality. But fortunately, I can still type, I can still write, I can still edit stuff on the screen." ([03:17])

• Treatment and Support:
  Wright elaborates on his treatment regimen, including medications, dietary changes advised by a nutritionist, and acupuncture. He expresses gratitude for the prayers and support from faithful friends:

  "Several kind, faithful, wise friends have been praying for me..." ([04:50])

• Adaptive Measures:
  To manage his arthritis, Wright mentions using specialized gloves:

  "They're made of bamboo, curiously, and they are for arthritis sufferers and they kind of keep the hands and joints in the hand warm and supple." ([05:13])

Maintaining Ministry Amidst Health Issues
Despite his health setbacks, Wright remains committed to his ministry, continuing his Bible expositions and lectures with adjusted physical efforts:

• Ongoing Work:
  "This term I'm doing Acts. I'm halfway through the exposition of Acts and I'm thoroughly enjoying it." ([06:16])

3. Listener Questions and Responses

a. Nicole's Question: The Struggle with “Ask and You Shall Receive”

Question:
Nicole from Ontario expresses frustration with the biblical promise "ask and you shall receive," noting that many sincere prayers seem unanswered.

N.T. Wright's Response:
Wright empathizes with Nicole's struggle, sharing pastoral experiences to illuminate why prayers may seem unanswered:

• Emotional and Relational Blocks:
  "We are all different... God as father, not least, is very closely tied to the emotions that we have about other human relationships." ([08:00])

• Divergence Between Personal and Divine Will:
  He explains that sometimes prayers for specific desires are redirected by God towards greater goods:

  "God allows us to pray for X because he really wants us, wants to give us Y." ([10:45])

• Mystery of Prayer:
  "Prayer remains a mystery. We never get to the point where we're just sticking a coin into a machine and getting something out the bottom as a sort of automatic thing." ([11:30])

Notable Quote:
"It's something which doesn't work the same way with them. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just we are different." – N.T. Wright ([09:15])

b. Sheila's Question: Disappearance of God's Voice Due to Maturity or Disobedience

Question:
Shelah from Surrey wonders if the diminished experience of hearing from God is due to increased spiritual maturity or possible disobedience.

N.T. Wright's Response:
Wright offers a nuanced view, suggesting multiple factors could be at play:

• Spiritual Maturity and Seeking Deeper Connections:
  "It's as though God withdraws in order to say by implication, please come looking for me a bit further." ([13:46])

• The Role of Patience and Delayed Gratification:
  He relates this to biblical narratives where delayed answers lead to greater understanding and purpose:

  "Some people some of the time find that a regular thing, discussing Christian experience with people." ([16:00])

• Divergent Experiences of Faith:
  Recognizing that different individuals connect with God in varied ways, Wright emphasizes personal growth and the evolving nature of one's relationship with God.

Notable Quote:
"It's not that God is there on tap, it's there is a seeking." – N.T. Wright ([14:30])

c. Robert's Question: Mishearing God's Guidance in Prayer

Question:
Robert from the United States shares his experience of believing he heard God directing him to take a specific action, which ultimately did not materialize as expected. He seeks guidance on how to handle such misinterpretations.

N.T. Wright's Response:
Wright approaches Robert’s predicament by drawing parallels with biblical figures who faced similar uncertainties:

• Biblical Example - Jeremiah:
  "The prophet Jeremiah... in agony, lord, you have deceived me. And I was deceived." ([19:42])

• Reimagining Prayers for Greater Good:
  He reiterates the concept that God may use our prayers to lead us towards outcomes we hadn't envisioned:

  "Sometimes those intermediate things may actually be far more important for the kingdom of God than the big thing that we thought." ([21:00])

• Importance of Humility and Openness:
  Wright advises maintaining humility and hope, acknowledging that God’s plans may differ from our own aspirations.

Notable Quote:
"In little ways as well in our lives, we really do think God is calling me to do this, and so I must plan and do this and this and this." – N.T. Wright ([20:15])

4. Hearing God: N.T. Wright’s Personal Practices

As the conversation wraps up, Justin inquires about Wright’s personal methods for discerning God's voice. Wright shares his disciplined approach:

• Scripture Engagement:
  Regular reading of Scripture creates a framework within which divine guidance emerges:

  "Daily and regular reading of Scripture forms a context within which things will bubble up." ([22:55])

• Intentional Prayer Practices:
  Wright emphasizes the importance of persistent and humble prayer:

  "When you pray for something and when you put yourself out there... if you ask anything in my name, I will do it when you do that." ([23:30])

• Listening Through Liturgical Practices:
  He illustrates how structured worship practices can facilitate a sense of God's presence:

  "He said... when I pay attention. And at that moment I will find that God is with me and speaking through that gospel." ([24:10])

Notable Quote:
"Christian maturity is finding out what seems to work for me. And when it happens, there's not much room for doubt." – N.T. Wright ([24:45])

5. Conclusion

In this heartfelt episode, N.T. Wright provides thoughtful and compassionate responses to listeners grappling with the silence they perceive from God. He underscores the importance of personal growth, patience, and humility in the journey of faith. His insights encourage believers to seek deeper understanding and to remain open to God's subtle guidance, even when it diverges from their immediate desires.

Wright’s reflections offer solace and practical advice for those feeling distant from God, reminding them that such experiences are a common facet of the Christian journey. The episode closes with an anticipation of future discussions centered on prayer, promising continued exploration of these essential spiritual questions.

Notable Resources Mentioned

• Download Free Ebook: Does It Make Sense to Believe in God? available at premierinsight.org/resources.

Quote Highlights:

• "Prayer remains a mystery. We never get to the point where we're just sticking a coin into a machine and getting something out the bottom as a sort of automatic thing." – N.T. Wright ([11:30])

• "It's not that God is there on tap, it's there is a seeking." – N.T. Wright ([14:30])

• "Christian maturity is finding out what seems to work for me. And when it happens, there's not much room for doubt." – N.T. Wright ([24:45])

This episode serves as a profound resource for believers seeking to understand and navigate their spiritual experiences in times of perceived divine silence. N.T. Wright’s blend of theological depth and personal empathy makes it a valuable listen for anyone wrestling with these timeless questions.