Sources of Knowledge 4: Conclusion

Sources of Knowledge 4

Conclusion

We have seen that to rely on our intuition, tradition, and reason may provide some glimpses of truth about God, but where in the world can we find life giving truth, life living truth, truth that enables us to know God? Can we arrive at truth that is practical for time and eternity? Some have suggested ultimate truth comes by divine revelation. I say, “Amen!” Let's define that, Divine Revelation is that which comes directly from God to man. On the negative side divine revelation is not determined by human intuition, whatever your experience with that is, I do not recommend intuition on which to hang one’s eternal life upon. Divine revelation is not based on human tradition. God did not confer with the Council of Trent, the Westminster confession, nor any Baptist confession (helpful to us as they may be). Divine revelation is not achieved by human reason or any effort on our part. Stack all these up and they are all become nothing compared to divine revelation which is something that God has chosen to give to man for His own glory.

We will sketch out two aspects of divine revelation here general revelation and special revelation. My hope is that we become confident that divine revelation is the only truth on which we must rely.

General Revelation means that, “God reveals Himself through the universe, nature, and creation” (A. Fruchtenbaum); or as another respected theologian has said, “General revelation is the discloser of God via nature, the constitution of man, and providential history whereby all people gain an awareness of God [according to] Romans 1:19-20; 2:14-16; Acts 14: 17;” (L. Pettigrew). See also Millard J. Erickson’s Christian Theology pp. 153-155

Special Revelation means, “God reveals Himself in special ways outside or apart from the universe, nature, and creation.” (A. Fruchtenbaum).

“God's discloser of Himself and His way of Salvation at specific times to particular people, including explanation of this discloser (see Hebrews 1: 1-2; and Romans 10:15,17;) This is done through words (esp. the Scriptures).” (L. Pettigrew).

“If you think about it, all revelation to man, general and special, is through God's words (Gen. 1: 3; John 1:1-3, 14). He created the universe and set the seasons and course of nature through His spoken Word (Gen. 1:31-2:1; Ps 19; Col. 1:15-17). He communicated to Mosses and the prophets many times through the spoken Word. Jesus is called the Word of God and is indeed the Living Word. The Scriptures from the first verse to the last verse is God’s written Word. All things that were formed by His Word are sustained by His Word (Col. 1: 17).” (J. Wendell Cole)

There are some limitations of divine revelation. These limitations are the human will (unyielding, stubbornness), unbelief or disbelief, disobedience, non-receptivity, denial of the truth, resistance to the truth, false teachers and teachings concerning the truth, faulty interpretation of the truth, willful ignorance of the truth, and sin.

In conclusion we may say that while intuition, tradition, reason, and general revelation alone can be useful for pointing up that there is a God. They are, however, inadequate sources for knowing God. To know God depends on special revelation and this special revelation is complete in the Bible. It was the ultimate mission of Jesus Christ who said, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

The purpose of this study is that we may grow in our knowledge and love of God. It must be cautioned, however, that even demons know who Jesus is and said, “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34) My prayer is that we may enjoy getting to know God better not just learning facts about Him.

The next few posts we will consider: The Existence of God