There is but one only and true God, but in the unity of the God head there are three coeternal and co-equal Persons, the same in substance, but distinct in subsistence.
Benjamin Warfield (1851 – 1921)
How does one begin to explain the existence of God?
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Prerequisites to the knowledge of God
A. God initiated His self-revelation
The knowledge of God differs from all other knowledge in that man can have this knowledge only as far as God reveals it to him.
Man must put himself under God who is the object of his knowledge. In other scholarly endeavors, the human being often places himself above the object of investigation.
B. God gave language for communication: see Genesis 1:28 – 30
C. God created man in His image
*rational
*intelligent
D. He gave the Holy Spirit: John 16: 13 – 15; 1 Corinthians 2: 10
These works of God make it possible for us to know and obey the many commands in scripture to know Him.
Romans 6: 16,
1 Cor. 3: 16; 56; 6: 19;
James 4: 4
THE REVELATION OF GOD
*The fool has said in his heart, “there is no God” (Psalm 14: 1a)
The fool has said in his heart, “there is no God” (Psalm 53:1 a) NASB
*Interesting
Both Psalm 14: 1 and Psalm 53: 1 are subtitled: Folly of the Godless
Psalm 14: Folly of the Godless and God’s final triumph.
Psalm 53: Folly of the Godless and the restoration of Israel.
Both written: To the chief musician
Both: A Psalm of David
Set to Mahalath: a musical instrument, most likely a guitar.
Both address the Haskalah: [wisdom, erudition] The Jewish enlightenment was an intellectual movement during a period of Jewish history that was prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe.
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General revelation
Special revelation
General revelation includes all that God has revealed in the world around us (including man)
Special revelation includes various means He used to communicate His message in what was codified in the bible.
General revelation provides evidences of His existence.
Special revelation assumes His existence.
1. CHARACTERISTICS OF GENERAL REVELATION
It reaches all people
Matthew 5: 45, Acts 14: 7
It encompasses the entire globe
Psalm 19: 2
It employs universal means
The heat of the sun: Psalm 19: 4 – 6
Human conscience: Romans 2: 14 – 15
2. AVENUES OF GENERAL REVELATION
A. Through creation
1. The cosmological argument: the world came into existence from something (someone)
Old Testament Genesis 1: 1 – 2
New Testament: John 1: 1 – 3; Colossians 1: 15 – 17
Two key verses of scripture show creation to be a channel of revelation
Old Testament Psalm 19: 1 – 6
Universe impacted (vs. 4)
Impact is everywhere to everybody (vs. 6)
New Testament: Romans 1: 18 – 32
B. THROUGH ORGANIZATION: the teleological argument
The purpose, order and design we observe n the world calls for a designer.
*No two snowflakes are alike.
**The cycles (seasons)
C. MAN: The anthropological argument
Question: How can man, a moral, intelligent, and living being be explained apart from a moral, intelligent and living God?
D. BEING: The ontological argument
The idea of the existence of a perfect being, as creator and sustainer must give credence to the truth of a perfect being.
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3. CONTENT OF GENERAL REVELATION
a. His glory (Psalm 19: 1)
b. His power to work in creating the universe (vs.1)
c. His supremacy (Romans 1: 20)
d. His Divine nature (vs. 20)
e. His providential control of nature (Acts 14:17)
f. His goodness (Matthew 5: 45)
g. His intelligence (Acts 17: 29)
h. His living existence (vs. 28)
Resources: NKJV bible
NASB bible
Basic Theology: Charles C. Ryrie
Bible Knowledge Commentary: John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck
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