In previous posts, we have sufficiently explained how general revelation relates to key elements of the Christian faith. But the cornerstone of that faith is Jesus Christ. We have learned that God revealed his existence, attributes, and will to all mankind by the works of creation and providence. Jesus Christ, by contrast, was made known [...]
In the last post, we talked about reason so it is appropriate that we now talk about faith. Faith has various meanings in Christianity. Some have said reason and faith are incompatible, usually arguing in favor of one over the other. Some have argued that they are compatible, but describe various ways they can peacefully [...]
To continue our series on common questions about general revelation, we now turn to one of the most common objections, especially from reformed protestants. Since reason is fallen, they question, how can we trust general revelation? The human heart is an idol factory (from Calvin), and so too is the human mind. Autonomous human reason [...]
If you survey the “proofs for God’s existence” in the contemporary philosophy of religion, you will see that they are derivatives of arguments like Aquinas’s Five Ways. There is an unmoved mover. There is a moral governor. There is an uncaused cause. Or, perhaps you will find those using arguments from the Transcendentalists and Vedantists [...]
General Revelation is “general” because it is the revelation of God made available for all men at all times, in every age. In other words, it is common, even between believers and unbelievers. This truth may lead some to assume that general revelation must also be religiously neutral, but this assumption is mistaken. Common ground [...]
Is general revelation vague or bare? This is a fair question but not because God has revealed himself inadequately in the works of creation. It is a good question because Christians have not always been good at fulfilling the promise of Romans 1:18-20. Some have said general revelation shows only a higher power, an unmoved [...]
Would you like to have an Aristotelian education? And is this education compatible with Christianity? Much is made about looking to this great philosopher. But his basic beliefs about origins, human nature, and our highest good, need rational examination. Aristotle was a systematizer and apologist for the pagan religion. When I see Christians speaking about [...]
To ask this question indicates some spiritual poverty in our age. Would a serious Christian ever ask if the Bible was important for the Christian life? Well, the two questions are nearly identical. The Belgic Confession, one of the great credal statements of the Reformation, speaks about two books in which God reveals himself, sometimes [...]
I was speaking to a friend who is in construction. He works on finishing houses after the foundation has already been laid. He tells me that he is often called to a job for his part, but he soon realizes that the foundation has not been correctly laid, and he will not be able to [...]
At the General Revelation Institute, we have taken the motto: By faith we understand. This is from Hebrews 11:3, where we are told that the ancients understood creation ex nihilo. God alone has existed without beginning, and God created all else. But the creation is not formed from something pre-existent. It is created by God. [...]
