The Doctrine of Christ
33. The earth and every living thing teach concerning God. Job 12:7-10.4. The operations of nature are the acts of a personal God. Job 36:26-33; Jeremiah 10:12, 13; Acts 14:17;Job 26:7-14.5. God reveals himself in his control of the affairs of men. Daniel 4:17, 25, 32; 2:21; Deuteronomy 4:34,35; Acts 13:17-22; 17:26; Isaiah 45:1-7.6. The revelation through the written word is the basis of certainty. Luke 1:1-4.7. The written word is the interpreter both of nature and of providence. John 15:1; Luke 21:29-31; 1Corinthians 10:11; Galatians 4:22-26.
NOTESThe testimony of nature.
“While the works of nature may arouse us to devotional feelings, they cannot guide our devotions. They but give evidence of the existence of an almighty Designer, but they cannot reveal himto us.”The failure of reason apart from a written revelation.“Confined in our views to the present state, and to observation alone, or merely to reasonwithout a written revelation, it is impossible to vindicate the justice of the controlling power, whether that power be called God or nature.”“Nature under the curse provides only an inadequate revelation, All created things, in their original perfection, were an expression of the thought of God.” – “Education,” Pages 161 17. Nature still speaks of her Creator. Yet these revelations are partial and imperfect. And in our fallen state,with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are incapable of interpreting aright. We need the fuller revelation of himself that God has given in his written word.” Education,” Page 17.“God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both his personality andhis character. He sent his Son into the world to reveal, so far as could be endured by human sight, thenature and the attributes of the invisible God.” – “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume 8, Page 265.“Apart from Christ we are still incapable of interpreting rightly the language of nature. Themost difficult and humiliating lesson that man has to learn is his own inefficiency in depending uponhuman wisdom, and the sure failure of his efforts to read nature correctly. Of himself he cannot interpretnature without placing it above God.” “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume 8, Page 257.
The value of the written revelation.
“The written word of God is the grand medium of revealing to us his will and ways. It penetrates the ages of a put eternity, and unveils the glories of that which is to come. It opens out to our adoring view the mysteries of the divine name. It lays bare the most secret workings of the human heart.It reveals the Father; it testifies of the Son; it bears witness of the Spirit. It unfolds the glorious chart of our redemption and salvation. It is history, and law, and poetry, and oratory, and parable, and promise,and prophecy.”“Only the written word of God, confidingly followed in the progressive stops of its advance,can lead the weakest or the wisest into the deep blessedness of the life that is in Christy and into the finalglory of the city of God.”
C. The Inspiration of the Scripture
1. ALL Scripture is inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16.2. The prophets spoke for God under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16; 2 Samuel