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RE: Natural Theology
Somehow, sir, I cannot fully grasp the meaning of this sentence: "Before the fall, general revelation was necessary to test man’s obedience with the natural character of supernatural revelation." That is my concern, but I guess I understand that general revelation was necessary, for us to know Jesus Christ
0.00546360 BEE
I think Van Til was referring to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Even though it's part of the general revelation and supernatural in origin, its natural character must be maintained to test man's obedience. If it appears otherwise, then the obedience of man will appear involuntary and coerced.
To illustrate it in Filipino, parang tatay na at the same time ay Hari ng isang bansa. Inuutusan niya and kaniyang anak para malaman kung susunod ito sa kaniya o hindi bilang isang ama at hindi bilang isang Hari. Kung paiiralin niya ang kaniyang pagiging Hari, kagaya ng kasabihan, "Ang utos ng Hari ay hindi nababali," ang anak ay nararapat na sumunod labag man ito sa kaniyang kalooban. Ang ganiyang uri ng pagsunod ay panlabas lang at hindi bukal sa kalooban. Sa pagpapanatili ng natural na karakter ng general revelation na supernatural ang source, gustong makita ng Diyos na ang pagsunod ng tao ay hindi udyok ng takot kundi kusang loob.