On receiving "Special Spiritual Guidance"

By Dr. Meredith J. Sprunger

Over the years various people in the Urantia movement have subtly implied "Special Guidance" to reinforce positions which they were taking. If The Urantia Book teaches us anything, it is that God does not arbitrarily and miraculously interfere with the historical evolutionary process. In some of the most critical events on the planet no "outside" interference was permitted. Van had to use his own experiential resources to try and persuade his fellows of the correctness of his position; and Jesus refused to use special divine help to interfere with natural evolutionary developments, even to prevent his seemingly ignominious death and defeat.

In contrast with these great prophets and teachers, one finds scores of minor prophets who claim various kinds of "Special Divine Guidance", to persuade people. Muhammed had "Special Divine" directions. Oral Roberts received instructions from Jesus to build his medical center. Such examples could be multiplied by the dozen. There is no question but what these people have had a genuine experience. In the great majority of cases, when one studies these personalities, and their motivation, one finds that the kind of messages which they receive are exactly what a psychologist would expect their unconscious minds to tell them.

Dr. William S. Sadler made a thorough study of such experiences and came to the conclusion that such communications took origin in their own unconscious minds. I believe his evaluation is sound. It appears that sometimes our inner guidance takes unusual forms. As we direct our lives, we must carefully evaluate the content of this guidance. *"Inner Guidance" is not, ipso facto, more genuine or important when it is auditory or visionary – indeed, the opposite sometimes is true. In any case, when relating to others we must always appeal to them on the basis of experiential wisdom, rather than try to control their thinking or behavior by appealing to "special messages" of extraordinary reception.

*Pages 1099-1100.

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