Systematic Theology I Theology Proper The Self-Revelation of God

Review of Proofs of God’s Existence The Cosmological Argument – Every effect must have a cause; therefore there must be a First Cause, which is assumed to be God. The Teleological Argument – The universe reveals design and purpose, and such order bespeaks the existence of an intelligent designer. The Anthropological Argument – Human concepts of justice, ethics, and moral order presuppose a moral law, which itself presupposes a moral lawgiver. The Ontological Argument – If man has the idea of a Perfect being, God, then such a being exists.

The Inadequacy of the Traditional Proofs They rest on at least two unbiblical assumptions: The nature of facts. Facts are not independent of interpretation; all facts are what they are because of their place in the plan of God. Unbelieving man hates God and is totally prejudiced against Him. Thus his mind is not impartial. These proofs fail to prove Christian theism, i.e., they do not necessarily lead to the true God of the Bible. These proofs assert no more than the existence of a being who is greater than the universe, not necessarily an infinite being. These proofs only lead to the probable existence of God. They still require faith, though one based on proofs and not on Scripture.

“Having denied the validity of proving God’s existence via the traditional proofs, the Christian theologian is left with one alternative – revelation. God must disclose Himself or He will not be found” (McCune, p. 171) Not everyone agrees with this. Some argue that God can be found, and part of systematic theology can be built upon, such things as the truths of science, history, mathematics, etc. These things are true because God has made them so, but they are not revelation that leads to a knowledge of God.

The Seven Channels of God’s Self-Revelation Creation The Nature and Constitution of Man Direct Revelation God’s Mighty Acts (Miracles & Providence) The Lives of God’s People Scripture Jesus Christ

Creation For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Rom 1:20; cf. Job 12:7-10). Creation clearly reveals the Creator, but it must rely on Scripture to be properly understood. “Science” cannot be allowed to trump exegesis! “David says that God’s self-disclosure in creation is (1) specific – ‘the work of His hands,’ not that of an impersonal first cause or unmoved mover; (2) perpetual – ‘day to day . . . night to night’; (3) inaudible – ‘there is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard’; and (4) universal – ‘through all the earth . . . to the end of the world’” (McCune, p. 175). This channel is limited and cannot save.

The Nature and Constitution of Human Beings And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen 1:27). For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man (1 Cor 11:7). Each member of the human race is a revelation of God by virtue of his being made in the image of God, even though that image has been marred by sin. This image consists primarily of man’s being a personal, rational, moral, and spiritual being, with the capacity to worship God and to consciously exist forever.

Direct Revelation The OT portrays God speaking to individuals on scores of occasions. This early and direct revelation would be accessible to: those spoken to; those who received the oral tradition as it was passed down; those who read the inspired record. This revelation is partial; it came “in many portions and many ways” (Heb 1:1). It also did not come to everyone. God is no longer giving direct revelation today. He has spoken completely in His Word.

God’s Mighty Acts of Miracle and Providence A miracle is a direct and immediate display of God’s supernatural power in time and space. Examples: The Ten Plagues The drying up of the Red Sea and the Jordan River And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? (Num 14:11) Providence is God’s indirect intervention into the natural order through secondary causes. Examples: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 2Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia-- in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah-- the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!'“ Acts 14:17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.“ Again, this revelation was accessible to those who saw it, heard the report of it, or read about it in Scripture. Note: even miracles must be interpreted!

The Lives of God’s People Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light Believers are thus revelatory of God. When people observe believers, there is a revelation of what God is like in His character. Of course, such revelation is flawed because of indwelling sin.

The Bible The Bible reveals God. While God does not reveal all there is to know about Him even in His Word, He reveals all we need to know for life and godliness. Even the revelation of the Bible has limitations: human language, the ability to translate fullness of meaning from the original, human literacy, etc.

Jesus Christ Matthew 11:27 “nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 14:9 “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Hebrews 1:1-2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son Thus Jesus is an exclusive, final, and ultimate revelation of God. All the fullness of deity dwells in Him.

A Final Word In the absence of Christ’s personal presence, the Bible is the highest form of God’s self-revelation. In Scripture one can read about all the other channels of revelation and properly understand what each one reveals.

Next Week: Theology Proper The Personality of God Read Chapter 6 in McCune, pp. 189-201