I have been reading recently on German liberalism and how that is rooted in the Enlightenment period. The Enlightenment period could be summed up in the phrase "human reason." Theologically, the Enlightenment period placed such an enormous amount of weight on human reason that everything else was subjected to reason.
Thus, if there is something that happens in life that does not fit into my rationalistic understanding, then it must not be accurate. Take this back to 2,000 years ago and the record of Jesus' ministry that we have. If it is not rational for a grown man to walk on water, and the Bible says that this happened, then it surely must NOT be true. Furthermore, if it does not make sense that one man could feed a multitude of 5,000 men (excluding women and children) with just a few loaves of bread and a few small fish, then this surely could not have taken place.
Thus what these Deists and Enlightenment period are advocating (which is still pervasive in our current day and age, just in a different dress) is that "my reason is superior to anything that God could ever reveal in the Scriptures."
Not only is this self-idolatry - the placing of oneself above everything else, but it is also clear and blatant sin for rejecting the clear and unmistakably loud revelation that God has revealed himself to all creatures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
And one more...
Romans 1:18-20 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
May God be so glorified as to wake our current evangelical culture up to the absolute pure and perfect revelation in the Scriptures. It reveals absolutely everything that God intended to be revealed.
One more Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:18-23 18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness.
Thus, if there is something that happens in life that does not fit into my rationalistic understanding, then it must not be accurate. Take this back to 2,000 years ago and the record of Jesus' ministry that we have. If it is not rational for a grown man to walk on water, and the Bible says that this happened, then it surely must NOT be true. Furthermore, if it does not make sense that one man could feed a multitude of 5,000 men (excluding women and children) with just a few loaves of bread and a few small fish, then this surely could not have taken place.
Thus what these Deists and Enlightenment period are advocating (which is still pervasive in our current day and age, just in a different dress) is that "my reason is superior to anything that God could ever reveal in the Scriptures."
Not only is this self-idolatry - the placing of oneself above everything else, but it is also clear and blatant sin for rejecting the clear and unmistakably loud revelation that God has revealed himself to all creatures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
And one more...
Romans 1:18-20 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
May God be so glorified as to wake our current evangelical culture up to the absolute pure and perfect revelation in the Scriptures. It reveals absolutely everything that God intended to be revealed.
One more Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:18-23 18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness.