What is verbal revelation and the practical effects of this doctrine in the life of the believer? Francis Turretin, a 17th century Swiss Reformed theologian, had this to say about verbal revelation:
“While natural revelation can show us different things about God, it cannot teach us enough for a saving knowledge of God without supernatural verbal revelation. Works of redemption and grace can only be known through the Word.
- And isn’t that theology? This is not a study of God.
- But a study of God’s verbal revelation of himself.
- And since the revelation of God’s Word to man is absolutely and simply necessary for salvation.
- Rejecting verbal revelation is therefore rejecting the same God who has revealed himself through the words of Scripture.
For this conversation, Vinicius Musselman spoke with Augustus Nicodemus, who is a professor at the Andrew Jumper Presbyterian Center for Graduate Studies and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Goiania, and Heber Campos, who is professor of systematic theology at CPAJ at Mackenzie Presbyterian. University, and one of the pastors of the Paulistana Presbyterian Church in Sao Paulo, SP.