Lesson 10
The
Brain Soul Complex
1 Cor 2:9-16 Deals with Revelation and Illumination and
its importance to us in acquiring true wisdom
2:9 True wisdom cannot
be discovered by human research, thru human systems of perception.
The
emphasis here is not on the wonders of Heaven but on the wisdom God has
prepared for believers.
His point is that man's natural systems of perception here indicated by the use of eyes,
ears, heart (intellect, function of the mind) [Brain - soul complex] cannot know or comprehend God's wisdom.
Empiricism is
knowledge from perception by observation and experience. All ideas are derived from some
sensuous experience using the eyes, ears, nose, touch, etc, having no innate or
a priori conceptions.
Rationalism asserts
that ultimate truth can be deduced from the principles of reason alone which is
in itself, superior to and independent of any other source of perception.
Rationalism
ultimately places faith in the autonomous use of human reason based on the
rigorous use of logic, developing conclusions from first principles.
Empiricism
and rationalism are often called man's greatest resources, but this ability for
observation and reason are equally useless in discovering God's wisdom. 1 Cor 1:21
Where True Wisdom is Found -
1. Source of revelation -
2:10a
2. Agent of revelation -
2:10b-12
3. Product of revelation -
1. Source of revelation - 2:10a
When considering the Bible as a source of revelation, it is important
to note the order.
*** Revelation is man not
knowing anything and God saying to man, here is the truth!
*** Revelation is that truth given by God to man that was unsolicited
by man.
- The issue here is not what is revealed, since the direct object is
left out, but the fact that God did
reveal.
In
revealing to us did God use an instrument or an agent to do so?
- "through
the Spirit": dia. tou/ pneu,matoj
= agency = the Holy Spirit.
Then we
see His function here: "for the Spirit searches all things"
He searches, investigates and fathoms, "all things even the depths of God".
Question: Is not the H-S
God? Is not God OmSc??
Then
there is nothing about God, His essence, His character, His Plan that the H-S
does not know!
Therefore Paul is asking, Who knows the thoughts of someone else
here?
Point of Paul's
Illustration: If we cannot know the mind
of another human being, how can we know the thoughts of God? His wisdom?
Then he
makes an application: "Even so
the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God."
What's the point??
*** Should
be able to see another application: linking up with vs:14
The
natural man rejects BD, DVPT, "the
things of the Spirit of God" since as an Unbeliever he has no
indwelling H-S and no human spirit therefore no means of perceiving and
understanding spiritual truth, God's wisdom.
If we
are to know the mind of God, Revelation is an absolute necessity.
First we
see the fact of His Indwelling!
"Now we have received not the spirit of
the world, but the Spirit who is from God,"
What is He there for?? One of
His functions is given here.
(i[na) "that
we might know the things freely given to us by God."
What is
illumination??
Def: The work of H/S that causes
us to understand the Word of God in terms of its implications and of obedience
to it.
Notice I
did not say that He causes us to understand but to understand in terms of
obedience and submission to God's Word.
He makes
the text real, its implications known and just where it all fits in God's plan
so we see the necessity to apply the truths learned as appropriate and the
need for submission
and obedience to it.
Need to
also note in vs:12 that illumination is so that we may
know "the things freely given to
us by God."
*** Prin:
God-H/S illumines the Believer to revelation not beyond revelation.
"Which things we also speak"
First it
confines; note
Paul says "we speak"
Second it defines revelation in the sense that the
revelation of God is given to us in human language. That is, in a form that we can understand.
Second
it defines revelation in the sense that the revelation of God is given to us in
human language. That is in a form that we can understand.
NOTE:
There is no such thing as an inspired translation!!! Hopefully its
connected with illumination of the Holy Spirit as they develop the translation,
but not inspired.
Paul
gives us three features of divine revelation.
1. God's revelation is not in words chosen by
men.
(neg) "not in words taught by human wisdom."
2. God's revelation is in words chosen by God
the Holy Spirit.
but in those taught by the Spirit"
This is
referring to the Biblical Doctrine of Inspiration - Verbal
2 Tim
3. The words of Scripture are a
perfect match for the truth that they convey
"combining spiritual (thoughts) with spiritual (words)"