GOD WITH US - MAJOR TEACHINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. Session Three Revelation How can we know God?

Transcription

1 GOD WITH US - MAJOR TEACHINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Session Three Revelation How can we know God?

2 Revelation OBJECTIVES Understand the meaning, need, and two types of revelation Understand how sin interferes with revelation Understand the definition and rules concerning a prophet God s Written Word Understand the concepts of Covenantal Canon, Progressive Revelation, and the roles of Grace and Law in Scripture Understand the authority of the Bible comes from every word being inspired by God; to disobey the Bible is to disobey God Understand the teachings of the clarity, necessity and sufficiency of Scripture Nov-15 2

3 REVELATION Revelation (Greek apocalypsis ) General: To uncover what has been hidden In theology: How God makes Himself known Because God is so different from us, if He did not choose to reveal Himself, we would know nothing about Him Even what we do know is incomplete Two Forms of Revelation General Special GOD Human Impression of God Nov-15 3

4 General Revelation Available to all people Indirect signs of God given through creation, history, and human conscience This means general revelation is like the fingerprints in a forensic investigation: it is evidence for God s existence Reveals God as Creator, Sustainer, Lawmaker General nature know about God; not know Him personally Insufficient for salvation GENERAL REVELATION Man External Creation Internal Conscience [Psa 19:1] The heavens are telling of the glory of God; their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. [Psa 139:13-14] You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made! [Rom 2:14-15] [Those] who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, they show the work of the Law written in their hearts Nov-15 4

5 REVELATION THE PROBLEM OF SIN If God has revealed Himself in general revelation, why don t all people believe in God generally? In general, all people do believe in God (Ecc 3:11) People who deny God do so actively, men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them (Rom 1:18-19) For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened Nov-15 5 (Romans 1:21)

6 SPECIAL REVELATION Special Revelation Direct evidence of God to a select group of people through: Theophany personal appearance Prophecy, visions, dreams, etc Miracles Incarnation Written Word God as Covenant Lord & Savior Relational & personal Necessary for salvation [Gen 18:1-2] The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, three men were standing [Heb 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 Nov-15 6

7 Knows when he speaks God s words, not his own Prophesies always come true; false prophets are severely judged PROPHETS & REVELATION Prophet: One who speaks for God (Deu 18:15-22) God appoints and gives revelation directly to the prophet Message is inspired; not the prophet Prophesy can come via visions, dreams, or direct encounters Speaks God s authority, to disobey prophecy is to disobey God Prophets Debate exists over continued existence of prophets today; if the gift is legit, it must conform to Scripture Scripture is written by prophets, but not all prophets wrote Scripture God s People Nov-15 7

8 REVELATION THE PROBLEM OF SIN [1Cor 2:7-9] Sin not but only we speak affects God s our wisdom ability in a to mystery, see God the hidden in general wisdom which revelation; God it predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; also for makes if they it had impossible understood it for they us would to see not God have crucified in special the Lord revelation of glory; but just as it is written, THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. [1 Cor 2:10-13] For to us God revealed them through the Spirit so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, things we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they Nov-15 are spiritually appraised 1 Corinthians 2:14 8

9 GENERAL AND SPECIAL REVELATION General Revelation Available to all people God as Creator (via Universe: laws, causality principle, evidence of design, beauty, etc) God as Law Giver - Universal sense of right and wrong is sufficient to demonstrate man s guilt and condemnation Indirect. Provides general evidence for inductive reasoning for God s existence and nature in general. Can be suppressed by willful rebellion Insufficient for salvation Special Revelation Available only to whom God chooses God as Lord (via miracles, theophanies, and prophesies) interrupting natural processes, as God the Son, and via the Holy Scriptures God as Law-Giver and Redeemer Verbally provides laws to live by and a way to be saved from sin and condemnation Direct. Provides specific evidence for a personal holy God but only to certain individuals Considered foolish w/o enlightenment by the Holy Spirit Necessary for salvation Nov-15 9

10 THE WRITTEN WORD - COVENANT Why talk about Covenant here? Because God s written word is His Covenant with us It is how He relates to his people; to know God is to relationally know Him in a covenantal way Remember: A covenant is a bond of loyalty initiated by God establishing the relationship with and between His people Basic Elements Following ancient Suzerain Vassal Treaty Suzerain Great King liberates a people from a foreign power Vassal Prince The people freed by the Great King Nature Unilateral, established by the Suzerain after rescue Terms Promises & Commands Legacy Blessings & Curses for current and future generations Nov-15 10

11 KNOWLEDGE OF GOD & HIS REDEMPTION PLAN PROGRESSIVE REVELATION [John 5:39] You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me God s Eternal Decrees Isa 46:9-10 Eph 1:3-4 [Luke 24:32] They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" Adam Covenant Noah Covenant Moses Covenant Abraham Covenant Davidic Covenant Christ & New Covenant Prophetic Revelation Nov-15 TIME

12 GRACE & LAW Quick definitions Grace is God s unconditional promise of His unearned favor The Law is everything God commands Some people pit law against grace, thinking that law is evil The law convicts us of sin, bringing condemnation Grace pardons us because of Christ, bringing salvation However, law and grace complement each other; the law is good The law reveals God s holy nature and causes us to see our need for His grace (one of three purposes for God s law) Three purposes for the law 1. Reflects God s righteousness & drive us to Christ 2. Restrains societal evil 3. Reveals how to please God in our Christian walk Nov There are different types of covenants but all contain grace and law Grace always precedes law

13 COVENANTAL CANON Canon Greek for measuring rod; the standard or rule To call the Bible the Canon of Scripture means the Bible s 66 books are the standard and authority for the Church OT 39 Books; NT 27 Books From a covenantal perspective, the Canon (Bible) is the standard defining that relationship (e.g. for the US, it is our Constitution) In grace, the LORD unilaterally liberates us from slavery Also in grace, the LORD unilaterally claims us for Himself, and gives us His rules for life with Him and other believers The LORD gave His Covenantal Canon (the Bible) to His people The Church only recognizes the Biblical Canon, it does not make it Nov Side Note: Covenant vs Testament Unfortunately, the change occurred when the Greek word for covenant was translated into Latin

14 HOW DID THE CHURCH RECOGNIZE THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE? The Canon is revelation and developed progressively Old Testament (OT): Jewish culture recognized prophets; numerous passages indicate OT writings were accepted as God s Word immediately after they were penned by the prophet; OT order varied but was standardized ~ 165 BC By Jesus time, there was no controversy over OT writings as canonical Protestants use the Jewish OT as canonical; but in different order Roman Catholics add the Apocrypha to their OT Around 280 BC, the Hebrew OT was translated into Greek by Hellenistic Jews (LXX); at some point prior to 130 BC, Apocryphal Books were added but were never considered canonical by the Jews NT referred to almost all the OT books, but never the Apocrypha Jerome used the LXX with the Apocrypha to translate the OT scripts into Latin; however, he clearly stated the Apocrypha was not canonical The Apocrypha was not accepted as canonical until the Catholic Church convened the 1546 Council of Trent to condemn the Reformation Nov Note: Early on, books of the Bible were on separate scrolls

15 HOW DID THE CHURCH RECOGNIZE THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE? The Canon is revelation and developed progressively New Testament (NT): Unlike the OT, written over a period of at least a thousand years, the NT was complete in about 50 years Similar to the OT writings, the NT writings were used by the early church without a formal process; later, when multiple spurious writings entered into the fray, the Church decided to develop criteria 1. Apostolic authority (either written or under supervision) 2. Received as authentic by the early church 3. Does not contradict established doctrines By 150 AD, all of the NT books had been mentioned by Church Fathers except for 2 nd Peter, 3 rd John and Jude Disputes arose on canonicity but by 170AD, all NT books are mentioned except for 2 Peter (unless it is the Apocalypse of Peter ) In 367AD Athanasius listed current 27 books; final agreement made in 397 AD during Third Council of Carthage Nov-15 15

16 THE AUTHORITY OF THE WRITTEN WORD Authority The Bible is authoritative because it comes from God; it compels faith and obedience; to disobey the Bible is to disobey God God alone has the absolute right to bind men s consciences The Church, traditions, creeds, confessions/statements of faith, books, pastor/elders, etc., can be helpful, but they Are not independently authoritative; they also must submit to God s Word Cannot compel beyond what Scripture clearly reveals or is derived by study The Doctrine of Biblical Authority rests upon the Doctrine of Inspiration and Inerrancy Nov *Note: Jesus is also referred to as the Word of God (John 1:14, Rev 19:13); this is because He communicates/reveals the Father (John 14:9); of course as Lord, He is also authoritative; we will address this more fully in later sessions

17 INSPIRATION All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 Nov-15 17

18 INSPIRATION All Scripture i.e. Plenary - Verbal Plenary The whole Bible comes from God, not just parts of it Verbal Not just the ideas, but the very words are from God Inspiration = God-breathed The Holy Spirit gave the prophets God s own words It is not the prophets that are inspired, but the words they wrote Nov-15 18

19 INSPIRATION But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Scripture cannot 2 be Peter interpreted 1:20-21 based upon personal opinion Scripture has an objective meaning and requires the aid of the Holy Spirit (more later) Nov-15 19

20 INSPIRATION But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 God supervised the entire process while still permitting the prophet s free exercise of his will and personality Nov-15 20

21 INSPIRATION Inspiration = God-breathed The Holy Spirit gave the prophets God s own words Verbal Not just the ideas, but the very words are from God Plenary The whole Bible comes from God, not just parts of it It is not the prophets that are inspired, but the words they wrote God supervised the entire process while still permitting the prophet s free exercise of his will and personality Nov-15 21

22 INSPIRATION if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages. 1Tim 5:18 Christians are to obey the Apostle s teachings as they would obey Christ OT = Deu 25:4 NT = Luke 10:7 Nov-15 22

23 INSPIRATION Our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures 2 Peter 3:15-16 Peter is writing about Paul s letters actually ALL of Paul s letters! Here he is equating Paul s letters to the rest of the Scriptures Nov-15 23

24 INERRANCY Note: Theologians also say the Bible is also infallible, in that it is incapable of making a mistake. If the whole Bible is the Word of God, then it must be completely without error in all it affirms; it must be true and trustworthy Applies to the original manuscripts Must be understood according to genre Describes events in ordinary non-technical language Can use loose or free quotations Can have uncommon grammatical constructions Nov-15 24

25 CLARITY Sometimes called perspicuity by theologians For faith & practice, Scripture can be understood by believers OT believers were expected to understand Scripture NT: Jesus & Apostles expected believers to understand Scripture Jesus never made excuses for the Bible s obscurity in teaching Most NT epistles were written to entire congregations NT expected Gentiles to become familiar with the OT Why do people misunderstand Scripture? Understanding is a gift of the Spirit and result of maturity Need to apply the proper methods Nov-15 25

26 NECESSITY The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the Gospel, for growing in Christ, and for certain knowledge of God s will; it is not necessary for knowing God exists or His moral character The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel. (Rom 10:13-17; John 3:18, 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5-6) The Bible is necessary for maintaining spiritual life. (Matt 4:4; Deut 32:47; 1 Peter 2:2) The Bible is necessary for certain knowledge of God s will (Deut. 29:29; Ps. 119:1; 1 John 5:3) Nov-15 26

27 SUFFICIENCY Scripture contained all God intended at each stage of redemptive history; it now contains all we need for salvation, for trusting, and obeying Him perfectly Scripture provides what God would have us think or do We are to add nothing to Scripture and consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture God does not require us to believe anything about himself or his redemptive work not found in Scripture Nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicitly or by implication. (Psa 119:1) Nothing is required of us by God that is not commanded in Scripture either explicitly or by implication. (Psa 119:44-45, Psa 119:165) Doctrinal and ethical teaching should emphasize what Scripture emphasizes and be content with what God has told us in Scripture (for example, not making obscure portions of Scripture into major teachings). (Deu 29:29) Nov-15 27

28 TRANSMISSION &TEXTUAL CRITICISM Original Manuscript Copy A Copy B Copy C Copy A1 Copy A1a Copy A2a Copy A2 Copy A2b Copy B1 Copy B2a Copy B2 Copy B2b Copy C1 Copy C1a Copy C2a Copy C2 Copy C2b Nov-15 28

29 TRANSMISSION &TEXTUAL CRITICISM TEXTUAL FAMILY Description Dates Proto Alexandrian Alexandrian Western Byzantine Siniaticus, Vaticanus Ephraemi Rescriptus Latin Textus Receptus, KJV 2 nd 4 th Century 3 rd 12 th Century 3 rd 13 th Century 5 th 10 th Century

30 REVELATION SUMMARY Revelation Knowledge God gives, especially His self-disclosure by whatever means He chooses, but definitely via the Bible; Two forms of Revelation: General indirectly through creation & conscience, insufficient for salvation Special direct encounters with God, especially through the inspired Bible, necessary for salvation Inspiration Literally, God-breathed. It means Holy Spirit moved the prophets to write in such a way that the words of the Bible are ultimately God s spoken word to us. His Word compels faith and obedience. To disobey the Bible is to disobey God. Inerrancy The Bible is trustworthy and without error in all it says is true Clarity For faith and practice, the Bible can be understood by ordinary believers Necessity The Bible is necessary for salvation and sanctification Sufficiency The Bible contains all we need; We are to add nothing to Scripture and consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture Nov-15 30

31 REVELATION/INSPIRATION/ILLUMINATION Revelation Knowledge God gives, especially His self-disclosure by whatever means He chooses, but definitely via the Bible, His inspired word. Inspiration Literally, God-breathed. It means Holy Spirit moved the prophets to write in such a way that the words of the Bible are ultimately God s spoken word to us. His Word compels faith and obedience. To disobey the Bible is to disobey God. Illumination A work of the Holy Spirit to give understanding and acceptance of His revealed word. It begins in the heart of an unbeliever to convict him of sin and his need for Christ. It continues after regeneration to help the believer as he studies, meditates and prays over God s word. (Psa 119:18; Eph 1:18-19) Nov-15 31

32 TWO COMPETING IDEAS ABOUT REALITY Interestingly, it seems most ideas about reality or the universe can be boiled down into one of two basic assumptions Both of these assumptions are ultimately based upon faith Monism Dualism Universe is all that is Universe = time/space/matter Universe created life Universe created mind & spirit Either God does not exist or is indistinct from the universe Atheism Many Eastern Religions God Universe God, who is Spirit and Mind, created the universe and all that it is universe = time/space/matter/spirit God is distinct from the universe Theism/Deism By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so Nov that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3

33 NT CANON DURING THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES Norman Geisler & William Nix; A General Introduction to the Bible: Chicago; Moody Press pg 295 Nov-15 33

34 NT CANON DURING THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES Key X Cited or alluded O Named as Authoritative? Disputed Norman Geisler & William Nix; A General Introduction to the Bible: Chicago; Moody Press pg 295 Nov-15 34