Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

God’s Sovereignty and Universal Revelation (continued)

2. The case in favor a. Throwing ourselves on the mercy of God b. The analogy with Old Testament believers c. Must you be conscious of the provision that has been made for your salvation to be saved? d. The single ground of salvation for Old Testament and the New: Christ’s deliverance from the Law (Galatians 3-4) A. Because of God’s general revelation, all human beings share access to God’s revelation of himself. 1. We share common capacities. 2. We share God’s glorious creation. B. Truth about God is accessible outside of special revelation (Erickson, p. 41). 1. This truth is objective. 2. This truth is supplemental to special revelation from God, not a substitute for it. C. General revelation eliminates the claim of innocence for anyone who refuses to seek God. 1. God’s power and Godhead is known to all. 2. Our suppressionof that truthmakesusall susceptible tocondemnation. D. The reality of religion in human experience arises from general revelation. 1. Every human community has a knowledge of God. 2. The religious impulse is an attempt to make sense of our suppressed, unclear knowledge of God in general revelation.

III. The Implications of General Revelation