GENERAL REVELATION DEFINED
God’s communication of Himself to all people, in all places, at all times.
* Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Pg. 178
* Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Pg. 178
3 LOCI OF GENERAL REVELATION
1.) Nature
Knowledge of God is available through Creation. Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20
Cosmological Argument - Pythagoras, 6th century BC. For every effect there is a cause. The material world must have a beginning outside itself that caused it to come into existence.
Teleological Argument - Socrates, 5th century BC. The amazing harmony in creation must be ordered by an intelligent designer.
Teleological Argument - Socrates, 5th century BC. The amazing harmony in creation must be ordered by an intelligent designer.
2.) History
Knowledge of God is seen through the course and movement of the nations. Job 12:23; Psalms 47:7-8; 66:7; Isaiah 10:5:13; Daniel 2:21; 4:34-35: Acts 17:26
Kalam Argument - Aristotle, 4th century BC. The existence of time necessitates a beginning as a reference point from which time proceeds.
3.) Humanity
Knowledge of God is clearly visible within the moral and mental faculties of humans. Genesis 1:27; Romans 2:14-15
Ontological Argument - Anselm, 11th century AD. God must exist because we would not be able to conceive of God unless He did.
Axiological Argument - Immanuel Kant, 18th century AD. Everyone, regardless of their time or culture, has an innate understanding of right and wrong.
Axiological Argument - Immanuel Kant, 18th century AD. Everyone, regardless of their time or culture, has an innate understanding of right and wrong.
PITFALLS OF GENERAL REVELATION
Erroneous views such as Pantheism which believes creation is God and Panentheism which believes creation is God’s body.
Any form of Universalism that does not believe the life and work of Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation
Any form of Universalism that does not believe the life and work of Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation
BIG IDEA OF GENERAL REVELATION
Mankind is has no excuse to not seek, know, and worship God. Humans are responsible for their shortcomings and God is just and righteous to punish them for sin.
PASCAL’S WAGER (Pensées, 1670 AD)
“Either God is or He is not. But to which view shall we be inclined? Reason cannot decide this question. Infinite chaos separates us. At the far end of this infinite distance a coin is being spun which will come down heads or tails. How will you wager? Reason cannot make you choose either, reason cannot prove either wrong. Yes, but you must wager. Let us weigh up the gain and the loss involved in calling heads that God exists. Let us assess the two cases: if you win you win everything, if you lose you lose nothing. Do not hesitate then; wager that God does exist.”