Epistemology Essay

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Regent University *

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by ProfessorRhinoceros2540

1 Epistemology Essay Morgan Lambert Regent University Dr. Rostern Tembo December 4, 2022

2 What is the Role of Revelation in the Understanding of the Universe and Worldview of the Christian? Revelation is crucial for Christians to connect with their Creator and understand the world through His lens. When followers of God understand the “why” behind His words and actions, they can create a personal relationship with Him and share His truth and love with the world. To fully understand revelation and grasp the idea of knowledge, we must first look at epistemology. Epistemology is the theory of knowledge and allows humanity to explore how they know the things they think they know. Knowledge is an essential function of being, but it varies from each person. Because of this, revelation from a divine Creator is needed to be firm in the things we know. In the Epistemology Seminar, revelation is defined as “the process whereby a thought in God’s mind becomes a thought in a person’s mind” (Slide 14). Accepting God’s thoughts into our minds is the key to being confident in what we know and understanding the questions people face daily. This essay will dive into rationalism, empiricism, general revelation, and special revelation to show the importance of using revelation to know God and understand our world. Rationalism is a branch of epistemology that bases all knowledge solely on reason. Whether it be personal research or deductive reasoning, rationalists believe that reason is the only way people can truly know things. The danger in rationalism is evident as they dismiss the concept of utilizing experience or human senses to confirm or deny beliefs. Because rationalism does not value experience, people who adopt this way of thinking cannot have trust in God, whom they cannot see. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (CSB). This concept requires people to accept that humanity’s knowledge is limited to visible things and must trust an

3 unseen God who promises eternity. Rationalism rejects this idea of faith and says people can only accept facts proven by apparent reason and logic. Because God is more significant than our minds can comprehend, rationalists ultimately dismiss the opportunity to know God. Knowing God is essential to receiving revelation; without His revelation, it is impossible to be confident in the things we know. Empiricism is another branch of epistemology that bases knowledge on experiences and human senses. When people learn from experiences, they open themselves to seeing and knowing God. The Lord works through experience as He reveals Himself through the creation and His Word. Empiricism is a more effective way of understanding knowledge and knowing God, but it still limits people from receiving complete revelation from God. Experiences vary from person to person, so empiricism cannot provide people with foundational knowledge. When people base their knowledge solely on experience and human senses, they are susceptible to accepting bad experiences as the truth. Humanity can slip into the trap of letting bad experiences with humans ruin their idea and vision of God. To receive complete revelation from the Lord, humans must have personal experience with Him and build their foundation of the Word of God so the world cannot sway their beliefs. In Matthew 7:24, Jesus says, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (CSB). Building your foundation on emotions, experience, and human senses will cause you to sway when the storm comes, but the Word of the Lord is a strong foundation that will never break. God has revealed Himself to all of creation through general revelation. General revelation helps us understand the universe by showing the Creator of everything and why He made it. The Lord created the world for us to reign and rule over until we meet Him in Heaven. God has given

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