In a recent discussion I was asked if I could provide evidence-based reasoning in support of special revelation , ie the Holy Scriptures.
My response:
“What sort of evidence-based reasoning would you expect to find in support of special revelation?”
“Take prayer, for instance. If it could be proven in a double blind test that there was a statistically significant increase in the recovery rate of hospital patients who are prayed for as opposed to those who are not prayed for, that would lend serious weight to the argument that an interventionist deity exist that is capable of answering prayer.”
First of all, before I enter into various evidences, there is a fundamental presupposition that is necessary to truly understand the issue of evidence in regard to the Divine.
When we speak of God we must understand that, even if one does not believe in Him, a God who is the Creator (for I speak of no other god) is going to be very different that what we expect. As Creator there are a few things that should be assumed due to the nature of the created order. This Creator would be omnipotent, for nothing less could make a universe so large and beyond our understanding. The power that has been expended to make the universe, and is being expended to sustain it, is obviously unlimited. This Creator would also be omniscient, having all knowledge and wisdom. A universe such as we have with all of its order, intricacy of detail, and beauties would require its designer to have an unlimited supply of knowledge and wisdom. This Creator would also be benevolent as He is obviously busy sustaining this world and His creatures with the things they need. This Creator would also be transcendent, being far greater and wholly other than His creation. This means that we should stand in awe of Him. It also means that, even if we don’t believe in Him, we should still approach the subject of God with a certain amount of awe. Why? Because if He does exist (and there are many who are not sure of this) He is much greater, mightier, wiser, and more beautiful than we are. He is superior to us. This superiority should cause us to take care in our approach to even the possibility of there being a God.
With the greatness of God in mind, let us move now to the next issue. A God of such greatness would not be likely to approach and reveal Himself to us on our terms. After all, He is wiser and more intelligent than we are. Let us use an example: President Bush can make himself known to us. Being our superior (not in worth, but in position) he will set the terms of engagement and revelation, however, not we. If this is true with humans, how much more so is it true with the Creator?
Having considered all of this, we must recognize that God does speak in His own way, but it is exactly that: His own way. It is not our way. We must not think that we can demand of God that He meet us on our terms. He is God and we are creatures. His logic and purposes are infinitely beyond us, save for that which He reveals to us. Because of this it would be an offense to His wisdom and greatness to attempt to meet Him on our terms.
In other words, the one who wants certain sorts of evidence-based reasoning will likely never be satisfied. We must accept that which God has given us and meet Him on His terms.
Having said all of this, stop back in next week for a consideration of some of the ways God has/does reveal Himself to us.
Just musing…
