I. Important Questions to Consider II. Basic Terminology OBJECTIVES I. Important Questions to Consider II. Basic Terminology III. Various Opinions IV. Examining the Scriptures V. Systematic Conclusions VI. Apologetics VII. Practical Applications  

Discussion Questions According to Pierre Gilbert, why did Moses write the Genesis creation account? What significance does Genesis 1:1 bring to the study of General Revelation?

III. Examining the Bible THE PENTATEUCH Reference Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God …” Context Initial Verse Historic Creation Account Apologetic of Moses Significance Creation Ex Nihilo (Includes Matter, Space, and Time) Cosmological Implications

Discussion Questions What does the fool proclaim in Psalm 14? How is this significant to the study of General Revelation? In what ways do people act like fools in today’s world?

III. Examining the Bible WISDOM LITERATURE Reference Job 36:24-33: While speaking to Job about God’s evidences in creation, Elihu states, “Everyone has seen it.” Context After Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zopher give counsel to Job, ELIHU enters the conversation. “Remember to extol his work” (24) because “all humanity has seen it” (25). Significance Reference God’s powerful works of creation Every eye has seen it   Psalm 14:1-3: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’” “They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” David cries out for salvation to come back to Zion. Fools declare that there is no “God.” Or That God is far off – allowing them to get away with evil. The word fool describes an individually who intentionally closes his mind to God, usually for moral reasons. To be a fool, you must first understand … then reject. The passage also describes the radical corruption of a person, even the mind.

Discussion Questions Psalm 19 is a core curriculum passage. What is the context of this Psalm? How does this passage relate to the topic of General Revelation?

III. Examining the Bible WISDOM LITERATURE (CONTINUED) Reference Psalm 19:1-6: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” Context The psalmist David initially praises God for his glorious handprint on nature (1-6). He then praises God for his perfect law (7). I light of this, David writes, “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (13). Significance  The created realm reveals non-verbal information about God. The existence and glory of God our seen. The verbs declare and proclaim are present participles. General Revelation is continuously displayed. Universal – “nothing is deprived of its warmth” (6).

Discussion Questions What are 2-3 clarifying notes in the FaithLife Study Bible that are helpful in explaining this passage? Faith Life Bible

Discussion Questions Are Paul and Barnabas addressing unbelievers or believers in Acts 17? What do they assume about what their audience can know about God?

III. Examining the Bible Acts – The Early Church Reference Act 14:15-17: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 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.” Context In Lystra, Paul healed a man that had been crippled from birth. In response, the people attached deity to Barnabas and Paul. They believed that Barnabas was Zeus, and they assumed that Paul was Hermes. Paul responded by referring to God. He argued that God is evident to all. Significance Unbelieving Audience “God has not left Himself without testimony” (17) Paul taught that God is evident to all because . . . 1. His creation testifies of Him. 2. His kindness (sending rain, providing harvest, gladness, etc.) is apparent.

Discussion Questions Romans 1 is considered by many to be the prime biblical passage on the topic of General Revelation. In your opinion, what would cause so many theologians to exalt this passage as the ultimate passage? Be specific.

III. Examining the Bible Pauline Epistle Reference Romans 1:18-21: “18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For 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 people are without excuse. 21 For 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.” Context Paul begins his letter to the Romans by expressing his eagerness to “preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome” (15). He then explains that in the Gospel “the righteousness of God is revealed” (17). After describing the cure for God’s creatures, he then offers his thesis on the human condition. Paul declares all persons guilty for their willful opposition to their creator. Significance Paul makes the following assertions: 1. All persons, even unbelievers, have a rudimentary understanding of God as creator (verse 19). 2. This understanding is acquired by reflecting on the natural world (verse 20). 3. The sinful heart continually suppresses the knowledge of God as creator (verse 28). Idolatry = willful rejection of the truth. 4. A person’s willful suppression of God, who is clearly evidenced in nature, establishes human guilt (verse 20). General Revelation & Natural Theology are affirmed.

Discussion Questions According to Romans 2, are Gentiles held accountable before God if they do not have access to the written law of Moses? Explain.

III. Examining the Bible Pauline Epistle Reference Romans 2:14-16: “(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. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.). This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.”   Context Paul sheds light on hypocritical judgment. Jews should not condemn Gentiles for certain actions, while they are committing the same actions. God does not show “favoritism” (11). In the midst of describing the written law of the Jews, Paul describes how even the Gentiles have the law of conscience. Both Jews and Gentiles need a heart change. Paul concludes by claiming that a real Jew is “one inwardly” (29). Significance Paul acknowledges the reality of an internal evidence of God, which is the human conscience.

Discussion Questions After studying the Bible on General Revelation, what conclusions should one make? Which view do you believe is correct? Aquinian View Barthian View Religious Liberal View Alternative Reformed View Dominant Protestant View How should this information affect a believer’s everyday life?

Tilt a Whirl

IV. Systematic Conclusions 1. General Revelation exists, especially within creation and the human conscience. 2. The mind of every individual has been radically affected by sin. 3. Even though the human mind is radically corrupt, God enables every person to comprehend basic divine revelation or knowledge. Therefore, the tenet of natural theology is true. 4. Because of total depravity, every person in all locations has suppressed or rejected General Revelation. 5. Every person merits punishment for rejecting God as Creator; all people are in need of an additional source of revelation, namely the gospel.