Bibliology Session 2-General Revelation

Revelation: From the Mind of God to the Mind of the Author. Tonight’s Goals The First of the 7 elements to study about the topic of Bibliology is the element of Revelation. Tonight we are going to examine three things about Revelation… 1. The Need for Revelation 2. The Nature of Revelation 3. The Means of Revelation The Need for Revelation Mankind stands in need of a Word from God. Our need for Revelation comes from the fact that… 1. Man is Finite 2. Man is Fallen Mankind is Finite We were not there in the beginning… therefore we cannot “observe” what took place… We need a Word from God. Where did I come from? Where am I going? Mankind if Fallen Merely from observation we know the world is not right. Why is there evil? Why is there death? Why is there suffering? Is there a point to all the chaos around us? Is there hope? We Need a Word from God We need outside help. We need information from a higher source. Without the answer to these “universal questions” we do not have a clear picture of the world around us, nor the ability to navigate life. 'Witch doctor' decapitates four-year-old boy in a bid to earn 'divine powers' from a Hindu goddess before villagers catch him and set him on fire in India This was a headline in October, 2015. History attests to the fact that nations or people groups without the Bible become exceedingly dark and depraved. Yet nations or cultures tempered by the Bible rise to the highest of all human achievement. The Nature of Divine Revelation 1.Divine Revelation is a Gift 2.Divine Revelation is therefore Gracious 3.Divine Revelation is uniquely Given to Mankind 4.Divine Revelation is clear. The Nature of Divine Revelation Revelation is given of God, not attained by mankind. God decides to speak, and therefore speaks. We cannot attain spiritual truth by rationalism or empiricism. Divine Revelation is Anthropic & Personal Out of the entire created order, God uniquely speaks to mankind… Divine Revelation is Clear, & it Clarifies Because God’s intention is to “communicate truth,” Divine Revelation is therefore clear, and understandable. The result is that it helps us to see clearly, and therefore navigate life. The Means of Divine Revelation 1. Natural Revelation or General Revelation 1. Creation 2. Conscience 3. History 2. Special Revelation or Specific Revelation 1. Appearing 2. Speaking Creation Reveals God 1. Cosmological Argument: No cause is greater than its effect. We exists, therefore there must be a cause greater than the effect (Acts 14:15; 17:24). Creation Reveals God 2. Teleological Argument: We have a Cosmos, not Chaos… The orderliness of the universe argues for intelligence in design of the universe (Acts 14:17). Creation Reveals God 3. Anthropological Argument: Mankind is the most unique among the creatures… We have personality, intelligence & morality. The cause must be greater than the effect (Acts 17:28-29). Conscience Reveals God • The universal acknowledgment of right vs. wrong is in and of itself evidence of a higher Being, Who created us after His likeness (Rom. 2:14-15). History Reveals God • God has invaded History in the Past through the Flood, the Exodus, & the Resurrection (2 Peter 3:2-6; Deut. 4:32-40; Acts 26:26). • God determines the Rise and Fall of Nations, i.e. Historical Argument (Acts 17:26). 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). Can One be Saved Through Natural Revelation??? Salvation Comes ONLY through the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:11; Rom. 10:9-10).