Category: Theology 101
[Revelation & Inspiration Cont'd]
Sufficiency
General revelation contains enough information about God to render man culpable for failing to worship Him rightly. It is sufficient to remove any excuse for neglecting to give honor and thanks to the Lord. Returning again to Romans Chapter One, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (vs. 20). The text declares that God’s attributes have been clearly seen. God’s revelation is perceived by men, and perceived unobscured. Whatever defense a man may offer for his sin at the tribunal of God, there will be no room for a plea of ignorance. Because God has revealed Himself in creation, and because men perceive this revelation, but suppress it, they are left “without excuse.”
Insufficiency
Though sufficient for establishing the veracity of God’s existence and power, general revelation is not sufficient for communicating specific information about God, nor His requirements. For example, the heavens do not declare, “thou shalt remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” Nor could Israel have deduced from nature that God would have every male circumcised on the eighth day. And the most astute students of creation would fail to discern that the God who is exists as a triune being. Above all, general revelation is insufficient to address man’s most vital need, namely, righteousness. The created order is mute in terms of disclosing the manner by which a person may enter a right standing before God. General revelation leaves man without excuse for his sin, and without hope for salvation.