Bibliology Session 3-Special Revelation

Special Revelation God not only reveals Himself in general ways through Creation, Conscience, & History, but God also reveals Himself in specific ways. The Means of Divine Revelation 1. Natural, or General Revelation 1. Creation 2. Conscience 3. History 2. Special, or Specific Revelation 1. Appearing 2. Speaking Extent of Natural Revelation 1. God exists (Acts 17:28). 2. God is Powerful (Rom. 1:20) 3. God is Intelligent (Acts 17:29). 4.God is Good (Acts 14:17). A Prayer to Every god! The tablet comes from the library of Ashurbanipal, 668– 633 b.c. (probably about the 4th Assyrian King since days of Jonah), and was copied from an older original. There are, however, numerous features of the Sumerian text which are characteristic of the late period, and it is probable that the original composition of the text is not much older than Ashurbanipal. • Pritchard, J. B. (Ed.). (1969). The Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament (3rd ed. with Supplement, p. 391). Princeton: Princeton University Press. May the fury of my lord’s heart be quieted May the goddess [who has become angry with toward me. me] be quieted toward me. (10) May the god who is not known be quieted toward (lines 11–18 cannot be restored with certainty) me; May the goddess who is not known be quieted toward me. May the god whom I know or do not know be quieted toward me; May the goddess whom I know or do not know be quieted toward me. In ignorance I have eaten that forbidden of my god; In ignorance I have set foot on that prohibited by my goddess. (20) O Lord, my transgressions are many; great are my sins. O my god, (my) transgressions are many; great May the heart of my god be quieted toward me; are (my) sins. May the heart of my goddess be quieted toward O my goddess, (my) transgressions are many; me. great are (my) sins. May my god and goddess be quieted toward me. O god whom I know or do not know, (my) May the god [who has become angry with me] be quieted toward me; transgressions are many; great are (my) sins; O goddess whom I know or do not know, (my) transgressions are many; great are (my) sins. The transgression which I have committed, indeed I do not know; The sin which I have done, indeed I do not know. The forbidden thing which I have eaten, indeed I do not know; The prohibited (place) on which I have set foot, indeed I do not know. The lord in the anger of his heart looked at me; (30) The god in the rage of his heart confronted me; When the goddess was angry with me, she made me become ill. The god whom I know or do not know has oppressed me; The goddess whom I know or do not know has placed suffering upon me. Although I am constantly looking for help, no one takes me by the hand; When I weep they do not come to my side. I utter laments, but no one hears me; I am troubled; I am overwhelmed; I can not see. O my god, merciful one, I address to thee the prayer, “Ever incline to me”; I kiss the feet of my goddess; I crawl before thee. (40) (lines 41–49 are mostly broken The transgression which I have committed, let the wind carry away; and cannot be restored with certainty) My many misdeeds strip off like a garment. How long, O my goddess, whom I know or do not know, ere thy hostile heart will be quieted? (50) O my god, (my) transgressions are seven times seven; remove my transgressions; Man is dumb; he knows nothing; Mankind, everyone that exists,—what does he know? Whether he is committing sin or doing good, he does not even know. O my lord, do not cast thy servant down; He is plunged into the waters of a swamp; take him by the hand. The sin which I have done, turn into goodness; O god whom I know or do not know, (my) transgressions are seven times seven; remove my transgressions; O goddess whom I know or do not know, (my) transgressions are seven times seven; remove my transgressions. Remove my transgressions (and) I will sing thy praise. May thy heart, like the heart of a real mother, be quieted toward me; Like a real mother (and) a real father may it be quieted toward me. Psalm 19 Psalm 19 is one of the classic places in the Bible that describes both general & specific revelation from God. Psalm 19:1-6 notes general revelation, i.e. the Works of Elohim. Psalm 19:7-14 notes specific revelation, i.e. the Words of YHWH. Nature of Special Revelation The Instruction of the LORD is without spot (Ex. 12:5), convincing or enlivening the soul. The Testimonies of the LORD are verifiable (Gen. 42:20, 26), giving wisdom to the simple. The Procedures of the LORD are consistent with Him and with one another, which cheers the heart (Neh. 8:12). Nature of Special Revelation The Commandments of the LORD are clearly understood, granting insight and discernment between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). Fearing the LORD results in an (Prov. 16:6) uncontaminated life, causing one to endure. The Verdicts of the LORD always right, He never makes a wrong decision (Deut. 32:4). Value of Special Revelation More Valuable than Gold. • Long been used for a medium of exchange… More Pleasurable than Honey. • Especially valued in the ancient world as one of the few natural sweeteners (Gen. 43:11 & 1 Kings 14:3). Means of Special Revelation 1. Works 1. Directly working through Theophanies 2.Indirectly working through Miracles 2.Words 1. Directly speaking through an Audible Voice 2.Indirectly speaking through the use of another Agent Theophany: A Visible Appearance of God Garden of Eden (Gen. 2); Mount Sinai (Ex. 19); Cloudy & Fiery Pillar (Ex. 13 & 40; 1 Kings 8). Incarnation: Embodiment of God Read Hebrews 1:1-3 & Phil. 2:5-11 Miracles are an Indirect form of an Appearance of God (Ex. 9:14; Deut. 4:32-40; Acts 26:26). God Has Spoken Directly In Eden (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:16-19); To Moses (Ex. 3, 6 etc.); To Samuel (1 Sam. 3), or a voice from heaven (Matt. 3:17). Note Psalm 115. God Has Spoken Indirectly Through Dreams & Visions (Num. 12:3-5); Through Lots (Prov. 16:33) or the Urim & Thummim (i.e. Ephod, Ex. 28); Through Messengers like Angels or Prophets (Dt. 18). God Has Spoken Fully & Finally in the “Holy Scriptures” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 “Holy Scriptures” “Hieros Graphia” is a fascinating term in the Greek. “Hieros” is the adjective form of the noun “Temple,” i.e. the place made sacred because the presence of God is there. Don’t miss the point…The Glory of God has taken up residence in the Bible. It is in and through the Bible that we behold His glory! “Holy Scriptures” In the O.T. when one asked “where do I go to see God?” The answer was “Jerusalem.” In the N.T. the answer is “the Bible!” Also Recall 2 Corinthians 3:18. Through the reading & teaching of the “Holy Scriptures,” we not only behold the glory of the Lord, but are thereby changed from glory to glory! Accurate Teaching of Scripture Read 2 Tim. 3:15-4:2 & Note the historic context of the impending death of the Apostles. • Teach the Word (Acts 20:27). • Reprove; appeal to the Mind. • Rebuke; appeal to the Conscience. • Exhort; appeal to the Will. • Manner (long-suffering) & Means (doctrine)