Three Sources of Knowing

December 9, 1995

 

• God's revelation is a third source of knowing in addition to people's thoughts and experiences.
• Jesus, Solomon, & Paul prioritize revelation over rational and empirical knowledge.
• Solomon is recorded in Ecclesiates 1:13, 2:1 and 12:13:

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.  I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility.  The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

• Jesus is recorded in Mark 7:6-9:

And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,    'This people honors Me with their lips,  But their heart is far away from Me.  'But in vain do they worship Me,  Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'  "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."   He was also saying to them, "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition."

• Paul is recorded in Acts 17:29-30:

"Being then the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone an image formed by the art and thought of man.   Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."