Condemn but not Save?

Romans 1.18 to 2.16 is a “Yeah… but” experience for me.

It is from these verses we are challenged with the ideas of general revelation and special revelation. We are also challenged with, “What difference does that make in my life?” For me, personally – none. I’m not worried about it in my own life. Where it does make a difference is in the eternal lives of others.

And especially in the life of my Grandpa.

I realize that many of you are not aware of this doctrine of the church – and that’s wonderful!! Doctrines are of human origin and attempt to create God in OUR image and likeness. However, I do find the discussion interesting and challenging.

In his book Theology for the Community of God, Stanley Grenz writes, “General revelation is the divine self-disclosure God has given to all humans or to humans in general. Special revelation, by contrast, comes only to certain ‘special’ or ‘specific’ persons.”

Here’s another quote from Grenz’s book: “Bruce Demarset pulls these themes together into a typically evangelical definition of the concept. General revelation is ‘that divine disclosure to all persons at all times and places by which one comes to know that God is, and what he is like. While not imparting saving truths such as the Trinity, incarnation, or atonement, general revelation mediates the conviction that God exists and that he is self-sufficient, transcendent, immanent, eternal, powerful, wise, good and righteous.’”

Special revelation, writes Princeton theologian Warfield, is given “to rescue broken and deformed sinners from their sin and its consequences.”

Most evangelical Christians firmly believe that general revelation is noetic not salvific. In other words, we can know about God through general revelation but we cannot receive the gift of salvation apart from experiencing special revelation.

God disclosed Himself to my Grandpa through general revelation – through nature; through the visible creation and its laws. Some would argue that my Grandfather never received a special revelation of God – which is communicated supernaturally and not through the natural powers of reason – because he did not acknowledge Jesus as his Lord and Savior. At least to my knowledge he never did during his life here on earth! And I don’t remember ever hearing my Grandpa talk about the Trinity or the incarnation or atonement. In fact, the entire time I knew my Grandpa, he never darkened the door of a church. Begs the question, doesn’t it?

What is my Grandfather’s final home?

Is general revelation adequate to condemn someone (Romans 1.20c) but not to impart salvation? Or does chapter 2.14-16 imply something else?

Discovery Tour '08

In January of 2008 we will begin our "Discovery Tour." We'll jump on 'goggle earth' and leave Canton on January 6th. Our destination is Rome. We'll spend seven weeks in Rome looking at Paul's letter to the Romans and discover spiritual principles for life.

Our next stop will be Jerusalem. Using the Gospel of Mark as our guide, we'll spend a few weeks walking where Jesus walked. We'll walk with Him as he clears the Temple. And we'll celebrate Easter in Jerusalem.

Right after Easter we'll head out through the Wilderness of Sin and scale Mount Sinai for a "mountain top" experience.

We'll board 'goggle earth' and head back to Canton just in time to celebrate Mother's Day.

As we are experiencing the Discovery Tour '08, I invite you to join me on this blog to discuss the spiritual truths and life principles in Paul's letter to the Romans, in the Gospel of Mark, and the book of Deuteronomy.