I. The knowledge of God.
A. This article emphasizes the knowledge of God.
1. Belief implies knowledge.
2. Knowledge is to be distinguished from comprehension.
a. Comprehension suggests that the mind of man can fully grasp God within the understanding. But: the finite can never comprehend the Infinite.
b. Knowledge is the understanding of God inasfar as He has revealed Himself.
B. Knowledge is possible only through revelation.
1. Human reason can never bring one to a true knowledge of God.
a. As the stream does not rise higher than its source, so the finite can not rise to the Infinite.
b. Denial of this is seen in the errors of human philosophy, especially Rationalism.
2. There must be Divine Revelation:
a. God must be pleased to reveal Himself.
b. God must reveal Himself in a form which man can grasp.
c. He must prepare men even for the reception of this revelation (by forming man in His image).
II. The revelation of God.
A. In creation:
1. It is God’s purpose to reveal Himself in creation.
a. It is the very reason for creation–that God might reveal Himself.
b. Creation indeed serves as a “most elegant book.”
1) Creatures are as “letters” or “characters” comprising the whole of this book.
2) This “book” can be read too–but one must carefully distinguish between the “book” and man’s conclusions which are drawn from this “book.”
2. What creation reveals of God:
a. It shows forth His power (Rom. 1:20).
b. It shows forth His Godhead or divinity (Rom. 1:20).
1) Particularly is revealed His righteous wrath (Rom. 1:18).
2) But also His glory (Ps. 19), providence (Ps. 145:15-16), etc.
a. Creation serves in a picture as a revelation of the heavenly to come:
1) The colors (red, white, black, etc.), numbers (1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 12, etc:), and various creatures (sun, sheep, bread, water, etc.) do this.
2) Though we must add that these things can be understood only in light of Scripture.
3. Man’s understanding of this revelation:
a. It is sufficient to leave him without excuse (Rom. 1:20).0
1) What natural man beholds in creation does not convince him; but on the contrary, his heart is hardened so that he holds this truth under in unrighteousness (Rom, 1:18-22).
2) But this revelation is sufficient to convince man and leaves him without excuse.
b. Why man does not understand and believe what creation reveals:
1) Adam could understand in the state of perfection; he could see all the “characters” and their interrelationship in the whole of th “book.”
2) But now man can not and will not believe:
a) Creation itself is affected by sin and its curse.
b) And man in his totally depraved state does not read aright in this “book”.
1/ He denies the existence of God.
2/ And he attributes the work of creation to chance (evolution).
B. In Scripture:
1. Scripture reveals “more clearly and fully,” i.e., it shows the love of God toward His people in Jesus Christ. It shows the only way of salvation.
2. Its relation to the revelation of God in creation:
a. It is not a differing or contradictory revelation, but the same–only it comes clearly in human language and specifically relates of salvation in Christ.
b. Scripture is not a “textbook,” nevertheless, its revelation must be the guide for our understanding of creation.
Worksheet
A. Supplementary reading: (First read questions below–then these recommended passages.)
1. Psalm 19; Romans 1 and 2.
2. Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Days 9, 10.
3. Canons of Dordt, I:A:4; III-IV:A:4, 5.
4. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter I, paragraph I.
B. Prooftext to be committed to memory: (proof for revelation in creation–and natural man’s accountability before God) Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen) being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
C. Questions for study and consideration: (use supplementary reading list above–but the questions are not necessarily limited to that material.)
1. What do the “light of nature” and the “works of creation” manifest of God?
2. How does the “firmament show his handiwork?”
3. Is revelation in nature a matter of “common grace?”
4. What must we say of the “glimmerings of natural light” remaining in man since the fall?
5. What does man do with the revelation of God in creation?
6. How must we understand Romans 2:4? 2:14?
7. What assurance does the Christian have in the confession that God of nothing made heaven and earth and upholds and governs the same?
8. Why was Scripture committed to writing?
9. In what way is the “work of the law” written in the heart of the heathen?
10. What does the revelation of God’s law do to man?
11. Upon whom does the wrath of God abide?
12. What does Quakerism teach in opposition to this article of the confession?