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"To collect, preserve, and make available theological resources for all in search
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"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for
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Theology Proper:
A category of study within systematic theology; it denotes the study of the nature and existence of God.
 

Revelation

The word revelation is derived from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means "disclosure" or "unveiling." Hence, revelation signifies God unveiling Himself to mankind.
 

A-Priori-Argument-for-Divine-Revelation

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Book Excerpt

Lectures in Systematic Theology
by Henry C. Thiessen
Copyright © 1979 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

The Scriptures: The Embodiment of a Divine Revelation

THE A PRIORI ARGUMENT¹

This is, strictly speaking, an argument from something prior to something posterior. As related to the present discussion, it may be stated thus: man being what he is and God being what he is, we may possibly expect a revelation from God and also an embodiment of such parts of that revelation as are needed to supply a reliable and infallible source of theological truth. The parts of this argument must be examined more closely.      Man is not only a sinner and under condemnation of eternal death, but he is also inclined away from God, ignorant of God's purposes and methods of salvation, and incapable of returning to God in his own strength. He is, in other words, in a most desperate condition, of which he is only partially aware, and he does not know whether he can be saved from it, or if he can, how he can be saved. The underwritten general and special revelations of God furnish no real answers to this question. Very clearly, therefore, man needs infallible instruction concerning his most important problem in life, his eternal welfare.      Over against this profound need of man, we have the unique attributes and character of God that make possible, if not probable, the supply of this need. The Christian God is omniscient, holy, loving and kind, and omnipotent. Since he is omniscient, he knows all about man's need; since he is holy, he cannot excuse sin and take man in his fallen condition into fellowship with himself; since he is loving and kind, he may be moved to search for and put into operation a plan of salvation; and since he is omnipotent, he can not only reveal himself, but can also set forth in writing such revelations of himself as are needful for the experience of salvation.      We grant that this argument does not take us beyond the point of possibility, or, at the most, of probability. For although God is love and he exercises this attribute in the Godhead, apart from a clear revelation to that effect we cannot be sure that he loves the sinner. We must not make his love a necessary attitude toward the sinner, or else love is no longer love, mercy no longer mercy, and grace no longer grace. The element of voluntariness must be retained in all of them, since man has lost all claims to love, mercy, and grace. But even so, the argument has some value in inspiring hope that God will provide for the profoundest needs of man.

Excerpt:

¹Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (Michigan: William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979), p. 44-45

Additional information on the various arguments to the existence of God or revelation:

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Existence of God (Click Here)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608b.htm#IB

QUODLIBET - Online Journal of Christian Theology and Philosophy (Article)

Arguing for the Existence of God in the Age of Quantum Indeterminacy
Click Here to read full article.