Dictionary of Bible Themes – 1441 revelation, necessity of
Resources chevron-right Dictionary of Bible Themes chevron-right 1000 God chevron-right 1400 God, knowledge of chevron-right 1439 revelation chevron-right 1441 revelation, necessity of
1441 revelation, necessity of

1441 revelation, necessity of

Finiteness and sin make it impossible to gain adequate knowledge of God through human effort alone. God in mercy makes himself known through the incarnation of the Son and the illumination of human minds to understand him.

The impossibility of fully knowing God without revelation

God is beyond unaided human knowing Jn 1:18 See also Ex 33:20; Isa 55:8-9; Jn 6:46; 1Jn 4:12

The human mind is limited Job 11:7 See also Job 9:4,10; Job 23:3-9; Job 26:14; Job 36:26; Job 37:5,23; Ps 139:6; Ps 145:3; Ecc 3:11; Isa 40:13-14,28; Ro 11:33

The human mind cannot discern God of its own accord 2Co 4:4 See also Jn 1:5; Ro 1:18-32; 1Co 1:21; 1Co 2:14; 2Co 3:14; Eph 4:17-18

God is known fully only through Jesus Christ

Heb 1:1-2; 1Jn 5:20 See also Jn 1:14-18; Jn 17:3; Col 1:15-20

See also

1055God, grace & mercy
1150God, truth of
1175God, will of
2218Christ, Son of God
3296Holy Spirit in the world
5038mind, the human
5135blindness, spiritual
5395lordship, human & divine
8321perfection, divine
8355understanding
8366wisdom, source of

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