Session 1
September 7, 2010
Personal Response
Beginning on page 122 of Systematic Theology, heading, “E” Furthermore, the Bible Is Not Necessary for Knowing Something About God’s Character and Moral Laws; Grudem begins explaining “general revelation”. Grudem defines “general revelation” as, “the knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral law, which comes through creation to all humanity.”[i] Grudem goes on to explain that, “general revelation comes through observing nature, through seeing God’s directing influence in history, and through an inner sense of God’s existence and his laws that he has placed inside every person.
While general revelation is not foreign to me, I find it difficult to comprehend it from a non-Christian perspective. Having grown up going to “church”, the stories of the Bible have always been a part of my life. I have had a knowledge of biblical teaching, and the Gospel for as long as I can remember. I would find it interesting to discuss this with those that grew up with no biblical teaching whatsoever. What are the thoughts of such a person, knowing that there is a God, a creator of all things that they sin against? Do they really believe that it is no big deal? Do they believe that because they are not as bad as others that they are good? That they are good simply because they follow the laws of man? What does it take for them to realize they are lost, and have no hope if left to themself?
Understanding “general revelation” as a believer, also leaves me to ask; have I allowed myself to not be as diligent with sharing the Gospel simply because general revelation permits me to share common moral beliefs with those around me that are not saved? Do I not evangelize “friends” or co-workers, because they “go to church” so they must not need to hear the Gospel? How have I let this affect my prayers for them? How should my prayers for them be affected? These are questions that require serious prayer in order to be answered.
[i] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Leicester, Great Britain, Intervarsity Press; Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI
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