There are two basic answers to this question:
- We can do anything not specifically forbidden in scripture (permissive silence), or 2. Silence does not equal permission, and we should not do something that isn’t positively indicated in some way. (restrictive silence) Since we’ve argued that God communicates with us just as we communicate with each other, how do we treat silence in communication?
First, exclusion is different from silence. If we ask our children to put on “pajamas”, all other categories of clothes are automatically excluded, even though we said nothing about those other categories. In Gen. 6.14, Noah was instructed to use “gopher wood”, which automatically forbade all other woods from being used for the Ark. Similarly, God tells us to “sing and make melody” with our “hearts” in worship (Eph. 5.19; Col. 3.16), which forbids all other instruments, such as guitars and pianos. Like us, God excludes other options when He declares what He wants.
Second, presumption is dangerous. Scripture indicates that we know the mind of God in what has been revealed (1 Cor. 2.10-13). If God has been “silent” on a matter, it can mean only one of two things: 1. He intended to be so, or 2. He intended to speak, but failed or forgot (which doesn’t work). If God has been silent on some matter, we must be willing to respect His silence. Rather than presume His will, we must study all that God has revealed on an issue, always bearing in mind the need to honor God in all we think or do.
Third, God’s word exhibits a consistent disapproval of those who add to what He has revealed. “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.” (Deut. 4.2)
“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written...” (1 Cor. 4.6a). If we respect God’s authority, we must not presume His approval if He is silent. Are you willing to risk your eternal soul on the assumption that God approves? More hazardous ground is difficult to imagine:
“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” (Prov. 30.6)
Kyle Sanders
Kyle has been preaching since 2016 in Chiefland, Florida and Clinton, Mississippi before coming to work with the Jamestown church of Christ in 2021. Before preaching, he spent several years as a high school mathematics teacher in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida. Kyle is a teacher at heart and brings his love of studying and interacting with students into his preaching and teaching efforts. He and his wife, a native Hoosier, have been blessed with five children, two dogs, a full house and zero leftovers.