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Argument ID: PHY-DS04
Argument: Revelation of God is Visible, Inspired, Reliable, and Trustworthy
Argument:
(P1) God Revealed Himself in Creation [BIB-IS10]
(P2) God Revealed Himself Through Prophets [BIB-IS11]
(P3) God's Revelation is Inspired [BIB-IS11]
(P4) God's Revelation was Transmitted Reliably [BIB-IS13]
(P5) God's Revelation was Authenticated by Church Councils [BIB-IS08]
(P6) God's Revelation is True [BIB-IS14]
(C) Therefore, What God Revealed About Himself is Visible, Inspired, Reliable, and Trustworthy
Summary: God's revelation of himself is abundant and widely visible. The general nature of God the Creator and the consequences of man's sin are evidenced by the created order. The specific nature of God the Redeemer is evidenced by the Bible, the written Word of God. These types of revelation come to us progressively through the ages. God's ultimate revelation of truth is in the person of Jesus Christ.
Description: When you reveal something, you disclose or make known what already exists. God is invisible and cannot be seen. Revelation is how God makes himself known to us. He is revealing what is true about himself.
In revealing himself, God takes the initiative. We do not "discover" God, as if He is hiding and somehow, we find him. God is continually disclosing (uncovering) himself in a variety of ways.
Sometimes, people are not even looking for God, and He shows himself. Other times, people are hungry to know about Him, and He comes to them. Even our seeking is in response to a work He does to help us see our need or awakens our disinterested hearts.
Blaise Pascal said that there is enough evidence for the heart that really desires God to come to know him.
"To those who wish to see, God gives them sufficient light. To those who does not wish to see, God gives them sufficient darkness." Paraphrase, God gives enough light to those who wish to see him, but not so much light that we are forced to see him." Blaise Pascal
God's revelation of himself is progressive. God revealed himself over the span of millennia from the time of creation to the present age.
First, God revealed himself in nature. Then he revealed himself through the Old Testament prophets.
Jesus declares that the Old Testament scriptures prophesied about him.
"You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39 NLT)
John the Baptist also testifies about the Jesus.
31"He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. " (John 3:31-35 NLT)
From John's testimony we learn that Jesus is God's Son, he came from heaven, he was sent by God to speaks God's truth and he has been given full authority over all creation.
Ultimately, God revealed himself through the person of Jesus Christ, the climax of his revelation. The writer of Hebrews affirms that Jesus is the final revelation.
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT)
God the Holy Spirit illuminates God's revealed truth in the present age.
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. " (John 16:13 NLT)
This passage informs us that the Holy Spirit guides us into the truth Jesus already revealed through his incarnation.
God's revelation of himself is preserved throughout the ages. The principle activities ensuring the preservation of God's revealed truth include:
All these activities are the work of God.
General Revelation give us knowledge of God as Creator.
God showing himself generally, to everyone. It is ongoing, sustained disclosure about Himself or His attributes to all people at all times. General revelation comes to us externally through creation (outside us) and internally through our innate moral conscience (inside us). This is analogous to a broadcast tower (general to all who hear).
Special Revelation gives us knowledge of God as Redeemer.
God revealing Himself by special means to specific people. This is analogous to a set of ear buds (specific to the person using them).
The Bible is God’s special revelation in human words. The most important and accessible example of special revelation for us today is the Bible itself.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12, also see Romans 2, Romans 3:1-2, Timothy 3:14-17)
Jesus is God’s special revelation in human form. Jesus is a physical man who is recorded in history. Through Jesus, God came to people in time and space. He was special revelation.
"The Word because flesh and made His dwelling among us." (John 1:14)
Special Revelation gives us specific information that we could never glean from nature. The content of special revelation is specific knowledge of God as redeemer in the person of Jesus Christ. It tells us about Jesus the Redeemer, our sinful state and our need for redemption.
God's general revelation of himself is open and available for all to see. Creation speaks loudly of a creator God. His handiwork in the created order is visible and unmistakable.
In this age of human history, most people have heard about Jesus. This is evidenced by the fact that Jesus is the most famous person in the history of mankind based on numerous polls and surveys. What Jesus revealed in the New Testament has been regarded by most civilizations as the benchmark for human conduct and morality.
What is remarkable about the truth Jesus revealed is that it has stood the test of time! It has superseded all other truths.
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