1. God Speaks How the Bible relates to all other forms of God’s revelation this study is based on a section of Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction by John M. Frame

2. Context Verse Paragraph Chapter Book Bible

3. Context of the Bible Creation itself: Natural Revelation Definition: Natural revelation is the revelation of God in everything he has made, including human beings, who are his image. Believer Unbeliever

4. Things clearly known from natural revelation God (Rm 1.21) God’s invisible attributes of power and divinity (Rm 1.20) God’s moral standards (Rm 1.32) God’s wrath against sin (Rm 1.32, cf. 1.18)

5. What fallen man does with natural revelation See Romans 1.21-32 Repress it Disobey it Exchange it for a lie Disvalue it Honor those who rebel against it

6. Things NOT known from natural revelation God’s plan of salvation (comes through preaching) (Rm 10.17, cf. 10.13-15) This knowledge is ONLY available through special revelation, the Bible.

7. Revelation and Authorization The Scriptures provide The definitive form of the ‘preaching of Christ’ (orthodox doctrine) Breathed out by God (2 Tim 3.16) Through the agency of specially gifted men (2 Pt 1.20-21) As specific as the individual words these men gave (1 Cor 2.13) The authoritative commission for the ‘preaching of Christ’ (Mt 28.18-20)

8. The Need for Special Revelation Special revelation shortens the ‘learning curve’ Adam needed special revelation in the garden Adam couldn’t figure everything out for himself (human limitation) Special revelation is God’s accurate aid to understanding natural revelation Post-fall humanity needs special revelation for two other reasons 1.Revelation of the way of salvation: man could never figure this out unaided. 2.The need for correction of our sinful misinterpretation of natural revelation.

9. Summary statement from Frame “Thus, God has given us Scripture, or ‘special revelation,’ both to supplement natural revelation (by adding to it the message of salvation) and to correct our misuses of natural revelation. As Calvin said, the Christian should look at nature with the ‘spectacles of Scripture.’ If even unfallen Adam needed to interpret the world according to God’s verbal utterance, how much more do we!” John M. Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God, p. 23.