Counseling Theology - The Continuation of Revelation

Introduction

In the previous installment of this series on “Counseling Theology” we discussed the sufficiency of the bible. Now, following that question we ask these: Does God’s revelation continue by way of prophecy, tongues, or words of knowledge? Is prophecy a present gift in the church today? And what do these issues have to do with biblical sufficiency? The answers to these questions are crucial for the uniformity and consistency of our theology, the health of our churches, as well as the vitality of our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Completed Sufficiency

The scriptures have what is called “completed sufficiency.” This term illustrates the reality that the Christian canon is now closed and the revelation of God is now complete and nothing else can or should be added to them (1 Corinthians 13:10). 

For millennia, God progressively disclosed (or revealed) more and more of himself to his people through the work of his chosen instruments for dictation. All of this revelation of God throughout human history, recorded in the Old Testament, culminated in the New Testament with the revelation of Jesus Christ, his ministry, and his atonement for sinners upon the cross (Ephesians 2:20). Jesus’ ministry was recounted in the Gospels, and was opened and analyzed in the epistles. The revealing of Jesus was the culmination and conclusion of God’s revelation as is shown in Hebrews 1:1-4:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

While this passage doesn't say that the bible is finished being written, or that no more books will ever come to be, what it does say is even more compelling. It makes clear that in times past God revealed (spoke) himself to his people through prophets. This would be the cause of the Old Testament books we now have: Genesis through Malachi. The passage goes on to say that “in these last days he has [revealed himself] to us by his Son.” This means that 1) revelation has reached its pinnacle in Christ, and 2) there is no need for more communication to us from God, since there is no greater way for him to do so. 

A Closed Canon

This aspect of theology is vital to offering God’s words in a consistent and helpful way to those who need help and hope. To concede this point and entertain the idea that something could be added to God’s word, would imply that what was already present was not sufficient or adequate; it would be to say that Christ either was not enough, or that something better than Christ can come along some day. This is a massive issue, to say the least. Those who advocate for continued revelation either do not see how their misled desire for God to continue speaking destroys the canon of scripture, or there is a lack of care in regards to the use and misuse of God’s word. Frankly Revelation does not continue, and the canon of scripture is closed. 

Although today there may be those who claim to have new revelation from God (such as those in the New Apostolic Reformation, the Assemblies of God, the United Pentecostal Church, the Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Church of God) and speak in tongues and claim to prophesy of and for God, their words must nevertheless be scrutinized by the scriptures (1 John 4:1). Simply saying that you have a message from God, or that you have a gift of the Holy Spirit allowing you to speak directly to or for God, does not make it so, and we must be very leery of anyone attempting to do so. John Owen put it best saying, “If private revelations agree with Scripture, they are unnecessary and if they disagree they are false.”

The Gift of Prophecy

The gift of prophecy is still a valid gift in the church today, however it is not the prophecy of the prophets of old that is most often thought of. This is not people seeing into and predicting the future with the ability to speak for God, but rather it is the preaching and teaching of the word of God clearly. It is interesting that in 1 Corinthians 14:1 Paul urges the Corinthians to pursue spiritual gifts, placing the gift of prophecy above all the rest because it builds up and encourages and grants consolation to those who hear it. He goes on and says that the one who prophesies builds up the whole church. Unless Paul was advocating for a new gospel, which cannot be the case, (Galatians 1:8) then he is speaking of the proclamation of the already established Gospel. In the next chapter (1 Corinthians 15:1) he reminds the church of the Gospel that he preached to them, in which they were saved and in which they now stand, and he implores them to hold fast to it. And in v3 he proclaims that which is of first importance, namely that Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and raised from the dead, and appeared to many. 

In these passages Paul shows us exactly how he thinks, and what he sees as most important, and that he absolutely abhors the distortion of the Gospel. Because of this, when he urges the Corinthians to pursue prophecy it is unthinkable to imagine that he would intend for them to come up with new revelation either outside or alongside the scriptures. Rather, he must have in mind what he says in Romans 15:14: that they are to be filled with knowledge and able to admonish one another. 

Conclusion

Because the canon of scripture is complete we can have confidence that what is written is set in stone. There will never be a day when we find a new book, or hear new words from the Lord that will overturn what the scriptures already say. The words we possess in the 66 books of the bible are a sure foundation that we can stake our life upon with full confidence and trust, because they come from an unchanging and impartial God.