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July 28, 2005
Ch.VI. Q.37. The Need of Revelation
NATURE points to its Maker, and indicates somewhat of His nature. But these indications are inadequate for man's religious guidance, and the human mind is unequal to a secure and full mastery of nature's teaching without Divine assistance.1 Such aid is given, however, and is two¬fold: (a) Divine grace, which is an internal gift correcting and strengthening the spiritual vision; (b) Supernatural revelation, which is external and objective.
2. The term revelation signifies, in Theology, a special and supernatural unveiling of truth by God. The word is also used to signify the contents of what is thus unveiled.2
3. The evidences that such revelation has been given to men, and that Christian doctrine correctly summarizes its contents, are considered in another department of Theology. But it is clear that we need such revelation in order (a) to understand more clearly and with infallible authority what nature itself teaches; (b) to gain additional information concerning God's nature and purposes towards us, and concerning the obligations which arise therefrom, more explicit than is otherwise available. Such a God as the theistic teaching of nature reveals may be expected to satisfy this need.3
4. Revelation does not contradict the indications of Divine truth in nature, but gives them articulate expression, and supplements them. Nature without revelation is largely a moral enigma.4 The science of Theology borrows from the sciences of nature, but only as they are irradiated and supplemented by revelation.5
1 Wilhelm and Scannell, Manual, Vol. I., pp. 3-6; Flint, Theism, Lec. X.; Calderwood, Philos. of Infin., pp. 48-51, 148-153; Weidner, Theologia, pp. 2-3.
2 Lee, Inspiration, Lec. I.; Stanton, Place of Authority, pp. 29-38; Weidner, pp. 8-10.
3 Butler, Analogy, Pt. II., ch. i.; Liddon, Some Ele¬ments, pp. 72, 73; Strong, Syst. Theol., pp. 58, 59; Hodge, Outlines, pp. 58-61; Christlieb, Modern Doubt, Lec. ii.; Illingworth, Reason and Revelation, pp. 143-151, 252-256, and ch. ix.; Personality, Lec. vi.; Turton, Truth of Christianity, Bk. II.; Wilhelm and Scannell, pp. 6-15; St. Thos., Summa, I., i. 1, Resp.; Clarke, Outline of Theol., pp. 9, 10.
4 Stanton, pp. 36-38; Martensen, Dogmatics, 10-14, § 43.
5 Martensen, § 44. Cf. Qq. iv. 4; vi.
Posted by Debra Bullock at July 28, 2005 05:24 PM
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