As we begin our discussion of Sola Scriptura this week, lets start by looking at God's revelation to us, and how He speaks to His believers. Revelation, in the dictionary, means, "something that is disclosed, especially a striking disclosure, that is something that has not been relized before." In theology, more specifically, it means, "God's means of disclosing Himself to His creations." Revelation is necessary because we are created beings, and sinful ones, that are separated from God, and confused by sin. Without God's revelation, we would be left with only speculation, guessing who God was and what He desired from us. Because most men do not want God in their lives, men pursue speculation in areas of science, philosophy, spiritualism, social science, etc.
In the Bible, revelation takes two different forms. The first form is general, or natural, revelation. This is revelation that is received by all men and apparent to all men, whether or not it is accepted by all men. General revelation takes three different forms:
1. Creation: The Bible makes it clear that through creation, men may know that He exists, He is powerful, He is intelligent, and that He is beautiful. Passages teach us about the undeniable revelation of God's creations such as Psalm 19:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
their words to the ends of the world.
And Romans 1:18-21
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
2. Providence: God continues to rule over creation, keeping His world in motion, and providing for His creatures. This is also a form of revelation (and common grace) that all men experience, and can know of God through. Paul spoke of this in Acts, when he said, "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."
3. Conscience: God has given everyone an internal witness to His goodness and holiness, through our conscience. All humans have revelation through the conviction of their conscience. . . anyone who hasn’t done something they knew was right, or anyone who has felt bad after doing something they knew was wrong; all have felt the revelation of the conscience. Even those that appeal to a ‘higher moral standard’ know inherently good from bad as God has revealed it to them, revealing in the process His holiness. Romans 2:14-15 says:
14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
These are the forms of general revelation that God, in His wisdom, goodness, and grace, has given to man. However, these forms are not enough, because they do not lead us to salvation, no one can look solely at creation, providence, and conscience, and discover the cross, the blood, and salvation that only comes through Christ. For that, we need specific revelation, which not all men have. Specific revelation comes in several forms as well:
1. Supernatural occurrences: These are prophetic visions, dreams (such as Jacob's dream of the ladder, Joseph's dream with the angel, etc), visit's by angels (Joshua before the battle of Jericho, Mary with Gabriel, etc), and miracles. God worked often throughout the Bible in this way, and He still does interact with the world like this.
2. Jesus Christ: Jesus is the ultimate form of revelation: God coming as a man to redeem His fallen world. He is the point of all revelation, and is what God desires for all the world to know. Hebrews 1 discusses this revelation, saying: 1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
3. Scripture: The written, complete, and wholly-inspired Word of God. The purpose of the Bible is to tell us who God is, who man is, and what God has done to redeem man and a fallen world through His Son, Jesus Christ. As 2 Timothy 3 says:
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Next time, we will examine the revelation of the scriptures more closely, and see how they are the foundation of our faith as believers in Him.
