Ps. 119:65-72, Special Revelation (1)

Let’s begin with a review of terms so far.

·       Revelation: God's autobiography; God's self-disclosure

·       General Revelation (GR): God's witness to himself in nature, history and con-science; general in intent and content

·       Natural theology: the “science of God” based in reason, or at best in GR.

·       Natural law: consensus-law found in universally agreed upon ideas; based in reason or at best conscience

What are the capabilities of GR?  We can learn about God, and ourselves.  We can understand that we are different than God, that we are sinners, and that we are without excuse before God. 

But what are the incapabilities of General Revelation?

ü Though man might glean something about sin and its penalty from General Revelation, he could know nothing of God's love, His provision for pardon, rec-onciliation, and salvation and the blessings of the new life in Christ.

ü Further, only through SR can we know the Trinity, the person & work of Christ, the HS, immortality, future rewards and punishment, etc.

ü Human opinions and reason are insufficient guides in matters of life and conduct.

ü The heathen world is hopelessly corrupt, & is powerless to make itself bet-ter. (Rom.1:21-31; 3:9-18; 1 Cor.6:9-11; Eph.2:1-3,11,12; 4:17-19)

ü Man's moral & spiritual nature longs for God & holiness.  God has begun to supply this need in GR; will He not complete it?

Thus, we need more/another Revelation?  Here are some assumptions about SR based on how the Bible describes itself (from H. S. Miller, General Biblical Introduction):

v God has spoken! Heb. 1:1-2

v The Bible is God Speaking. 2 Pet. 1:21

v The Bible is a Revelation from God to Man.

v God has given to man a Special Supernatural Revelation.

The following arguments show the general reasonableness to expect a revelation from God. Then we will ask, is the Bible that revelation.  In other words, we might conclude from GR that there should be another revelation from God that is more detailed.

·       A revelation is possible (Mk.10:27; Lk.1:37; if God created man it’s reasonable to think that communication between God and man is possible).

·       A revelation is necessary (based on the incapabilities of GR above).

·       A revelation is probable (based on God's love). "Philosophers of all ages have thought a divine revelation probable, and have expected it." (Pardington in Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine, p31.)

·       A revelation is credible.

·       A revelation is reasonable. "It would seem strange indeed if the Author of our being, who has enabled us to communicate with one another in so many ways, should never have communicated with us at all.  Reason, so far from rejecting the idea of a revelation, rather calls for it." (Girdlestone, The Building Up of the Old Testament, p295)

·       A revelation is certain.