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#16.
The Inadequacy of the Works and Words
of God as a Revelation of Himself.
pp. 161 - 165
Before we leave the realm of creation (Gen. 1:) and enter the moral sphere (Gen. 2:
and 3:), with its problems of free will, the presence of good and evil, and other related
themes, let us take a final glance at creation and its revelation in Gen. 1:, and the
limitations in their knowledge of God that finite creatures must expect and accept.
Good and Creation.--Let us consider first the testimony of creation apart from the
Biblical record. Quite apart from the written Word, man has the whole circle of nature
around him, of which he himself is the crown and climax, and this creation speaks to him
of God. The following is the reasoned testimony, overwhelming in its irresistible logic,
of one who spent himself in bringing the good news of salvation to men, and who is
therefore the less likely to judge the heathen from a purely academic standpoint:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may
be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the
invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse" (Rom. 1: 18-20).
Aristotle who, so far as we know, had not read any of the Scriptures, confirms the
Apostle's testimony, saying: "God Who is invisible to every mortal being, is seen by His
works." When the Apostle in Acts 14: speaks to the heathen, who knew nothing of
God from contact with the Jews, he appeals to the evidence of creation:
"Turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their
own ways: Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and
gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness"
(Acts 14: 15-17).
The Apostle follows much the same line when addressing the assembly on Mars Hill.
"Ye men of Athens, I perceived that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I
passed by, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom,
therefore, ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. God that made the world and
all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples
made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed
anything, seeing He giveth to all, life, and breath, and all things: And hath made of one
blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the
times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the
Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far from every
one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. Forasmuch, then, as we are the
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or