Human Limitations and Divine Revelation in Theology
Human Limitations and Divine Revelation
The concept of human limitations in understanding divine revelation is rooted in biblical teachings. The book of Job poses a rhetorical question, "Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?" [1]. This query underscores the finite nature of human understanding when confronted with the infinite and complex nature of God.
The Bible itself is considered a primary means of divine revelation, where God has chosen to unveil Himself and His purposes to humanity [2]. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, the Scriptures are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, preserved and propagated under the guidance of God's Spirit [2].
The limitations of human understanding are further highlighted in the interpretation of biblical texts. Calvin's commentary on Philippians emphasizes the importance of seeking the knowledge of God's will as revealed in His word, setting aside human inventions and speculations that diverge from Scripture [3]. This underscores the reliance on divine revelation as the foundation for understanding God's nature and purposes.
The Psalmist acknowledges that even perfection has its limits, affirming that humans cannot fully comprehend God's ways [4]. This is echoed in the commentary on Job, where the divine wisdom by which the world is governed is considered unfathomable and unpurchasable by humans [5].
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is seen as a pivotal aspect of divine revelation, where the divine majesty is united with human nature, making it possible for humans to approach God [6, 7]. The commentary on Jude notes that it is not possible for humans to fully grasp the revelation of God's holy presence and still live, referencing the Old Testament theophanies that foreshadow the incarnation of Jesus [8].
The book of Revelation is described as an apocalypse or unveiling of things previously veiled, serving as a manifesto of the kingdom of Christ and a guide for the Church [9]. The Baptist/Reformed commentary on Romans highlights that while certain aspects of God's nature can be known through natural means, others, such as the trinity and the specifics of salvation through Jesus Christ, require divine revelation [10].
The interplay between human limitations and divine revelation underscores the necessity of relying on Scripture as the primary source of understanding God's nature and purposes. As Calvin's commentary on 1-2 Timothy suggests, knowing the divine majesty in Jesus Christ and human weakness is crucial for hope and approaching God [6].
The various traditions represented in the sources converge on the idea that human understanding is limited and that divine revelation is essential for grasping the nature of God and His plans. This convergence is evident across Reformed, Presbyterian, and Baptist/Reformed interpretations, emphasizing the centrality of Scripture in understanding divine revelation.
The tension between human limitations and the desire to understand divine revelation is a recurring theme in theological discourse. It highlights the importance of humility in approaching the mysteries of God, acknowledging the finite nature of human understanding, and the necessity of divine revelation for spiritual knowledge.
Sources
- Job “Job 11:7 (BSB) — Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 25.2: be a hinderance in the way of their cheerfully making progress, and allowing what had been begun in them to receive an additional polish. But what knowledge does he desire in their behalf? The knowledge of the divine will , by which expression he sets aside all inventions of men, and all speculations that are at variance with the word of God. For his will is not to be sought anywhere else than in his word. He adds — in all wisdom; by which he intimates that the will of God, of which he had made mention, was the onl”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 119:96: 119:96 Even perfection has its limits: Humans cannot fully understand God’s ways (see Eccl 3:11).”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 28:12: Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Certainly not. Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person (Job 28:12-27) distinct from God (Job 28:23; also in Pro 8:23, Pro 8:27). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom. The order of the world was originated and is maintained by the breathing forth (Spirit) of Wisdom, unfathomable and unpurchasable by man. In Job 28:28, the only aspect of it, which relates to, and may be understood by, man, is stated. understanding--insigh”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 15.9: more than wretched? For this reason the Devil wished, as far as he could, to destroy that knowledge, or rather to mix it with his lies, so as to be perverted. On the other hand, when we see that there is such majesty in God, how shall we dare to approach unto Him, seeing that we are full of misery? We must therefore come to this union of the majesty of God with human nature. And thus, in every respect, till we have known the divine majesty that is in Jesus Christ, and our human weakness which he hath taken upon him, it is imposs”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 15.6: the Devil wished, as far as he could, to destroy that knowledge, or rather to mix it with his lies, so as to be perverted. On the other hand, when we see that there is such majesty in God, how shall we dare to approach unto Him, seeing that we are full of misery? We must therefore come to this union of the majesty of God with human nature. And thus, in every respect, till we have known the divine majesty that is in Jesus Christ, and our human weakness which he hath taken upon him, it is impossible for us to have any hope, or to ”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 13:19: 13:19-22 It is not possible for human beings to take in the full revelation of God’s holy presence and still live (cp. 6:20-24; Exod 19:21; 33:20). The Old Testament frequently reports divine visitations on earth in human form; these visitations foreshadow the full appearance of God on earth in the incarnation of Jesus.”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1 (introduction): 1TITLE: SOURCE AND OBJECT OF THIS REVELATION: BLESSING ON THE READER AND KEEPER OF IT, AS THE TIME IS NEAR: INSCRIPTION TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: APOSTOLIC GREETING: KEYNOTE, "BEHOLD HE COMETH" (Compare at the close, Rev 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): INTRODUCTORY VISION OF THE SON OF MAN IN GLORY, AMIDST THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, WITH SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND. (Rev. 1:1-20) Revelation--an apocalypse or unveiling of those things which had been veiled. A manifesto of the kingdom of Christ. The travelling manual of the Church for the G”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:19: Because that which may be known of God,.... There are some things which could not be known of God by the light of nature; as a trinity of persons in the Godhead; the knowledge of God in Christ as Mediator; the God-man and Mediator Jesus Christ; his incarnation, sufferings, death, and resurrection; the will of God to save sinners by a crucified Jesus; the several peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, particularly the resurrection of the dead, and the manner of worshipping of God with acceptance: but then there are some things which may be known of God, without a revelation”