Ch 4 Sect 1 The Idea of Revelation

Why is the concept of revelation necessary for religion? Because religion is concerned with the “super-natural”, the invisible and external power, and it is revelation that puts man in relation to these things. Bavinck holds that this is the distinction between religion and science. Science is concerned about things observable in this world, and religion is concerned with the invisible, things unseen. Science uses empirical methods of observation to gain truth, religion has revelation. Belief in a deity is the foundation of religion, and such a deity is made known to the mind of man by way of revelation.

“Religion is either an illusion, or it must be based on belief in the existence, revelation and knowability of God. For God to be God he cannot be accessible to ordinary human investigation.” (p63) For man to know God, God must come out of his hiddenness and reveal himself, and all religions maintain this fact. Although the revelation comes in difference forms, either supernaturally, through history or the heart, ect… It is God who reveals. Bavinck also observes that all religions are concerned with redemption and religions have a doctrine of salvation. “A belief in a savior is universal and can rest only on revelation.” (p63) Revelation is needed to know God and man’s condition before God.

Now what concerns Bavinck starting at the bottom of page 64 (subparagraph 83), is the relation between believing and knowing, theology and philosophy. If God cannot be known by way of general human knowledge, and the deepest questions, such as is there life after-death, remain unanswered, then faith in the God who reveals must be joined to knowledge. Then what is the priority and relation between revelation and reason. Is reason primary only to be supported by revelation?

Bavinck gives us a little history on the thought concerning revelation. Deism for instance believed ultimately reason could cast judgment on revelation, resulting in a cold impersonal rationalism which is spiritually unsatisfying. Others reduced revelation to “the spark of divinity” and moral perfection. Revelation has such a strong on impression or manifestation, which will lead humanity out of the moral decay. Schleiermacher working along these lines reduced revelation to a very intimate personal communication of Christ through the universe to the inmost aspect of our lives.

These lines of thought are all autonomous, meaning man defines what revelation is, how it is revealed, and what is revealed. Bavinck says on p67, “A true concept of revelation can only be derived from revelation itself. If no revelation ever took place, all revelation on the concept is futile. … And only revelation can give us the answer to revelation”. This may seem like a form of circular reasoning, but only a word from God can instruct us on the word of God. It is this way because God is the authority, and determines when how and what is to be revealed. So man has no place to dictate to God what and how revelation is given. A Christian man, however, can go about his scientific investigation, or even normal daily activities in a positive fashion, trusting and knowing God does reveal the truth that is valuable to the mind, body, and soul.