Establishing Connection Between Secular and Biblical Truths
The Bible presents itself as a divine revelation, an "uncovering" or "bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen" [1]. This revelation is not merely a record of God's communication but is considered the revelation itself in written form, preserved for accuracy and propagation of truth [1]. While the truths contained within the Bible are distinct from secular knowledge, Christian theology suggests that understanding these spiritual truths requires divine illumination.
The doctrines and mysteries of the Gospel are described as "hidden wisdom" and a "sealed book" to those without spiritual understanding [2, 3]. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs 8:9, states that these truths are "plain to him that understandeth," referring to an individual whose understanding has been "enlightened by the Spirit of God" [3]. This implies that natural knowledge or wisdom, while valuable in its own sphere, is insufficient for discerning spiritual matters, which are "spiritually discerned" [3]. Similarly, Gill notes on Psalms 78:6 that knowledge of divine truths can be gained "not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally," particularly when human teachings are accompanied by "the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths" [2].
The process of understanding spiritual truths often involves discerning between the holy and the profane, or between truth and error [5]. This discernment is a characteristic of spiritual maturity, enabling believers to recognize the difference between right and wrong [7]. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:13, speaks of "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," which has been interpreted as expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit, or illustrating Gospel mysteries by comparing them with Old Testament types [4]. This suggests an internal coherence within the biblical text, where different parts illuminate one another through spiritual insight.
The "word of God" is also presented as the means or medium for spiritual new birth, leading to Christian brotherhood and abiding love [6]. This emphasis on the Spirit's role in understanding biblical truth highlights a distinction between secular and biblical truths: while secular truths can often be grasped through human reason and empirical observation, biblical truths are understood to require a spiritual dimension for full comprehension and application [2, 3]. Early Christian teachings, sometimes found in compact forms like creeds or hymns, also served to clarify core doctrines, particularly in response to false teachings that undermined the universal message of the Gospel [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:6: That the generation to come might know them,.... Not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally; which is the case, when human teachings are attended with the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths; for the truths of the Gospel are unknown to men; the Gospel is hidden wisdom, the wisdom of God in a mystery; the Bible is a sealed book, the doctrines of it are riddles and dark sayings; the ministry of the word is the means of knowledge, which become effectual when attended with the Spirit and power of God: even the children which sho”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:9: They are all plain to him that understandeth,.... Whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God; who is a spiritual man, that has a discerning, and can judge of spiritual things: as for the carnal man, let him have what natural knowledge or wisdom he will, he cannot know these things; for they are spiritually discerned, and can only be discerned by spiritual men. The Bible is a sealed book to others, learned or unlearned; the mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid in parables from such; but those to whom Christ has given an understanding to know him, ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:23: And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane,.... Persons and things; not in a ceremonial, nor merely in a moral, but in an evangelical sense, between truth and error; between the doctrine which is according to godliness, and that which is corrupt and unsound, and eats as cloth a canker; between holy worship, and superstition; between holy duties, and profane and Heathen rites and ceremonies; and between persons sanctified by the Spirit and grace of God, and unconverted ones: and cause them to discern between the unclean and the c”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:23: Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things. of . . . of . . . by--"The word of God" is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but its mean or medium. By means of the word the man receives the incorru”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:14: 5:14 Being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity.”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 2:5: 2:5-6 Compact teachings, as in this passage, occur throughout the letters to Timothy and Titus (see also 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 1:9-10; 2:8, 11-13; Titus 3:4-7). They might be adapted bits of creeds, hymns, or prayers that were known to the churches. The doctrines referenced probably relate to Paul’s trouble with the false teachers; it appears that their teaching undercut the universal appeal of the Good News and the effectiveness of the Gentile mission. The false teachers also had a deficient understanding of Jesus and his salvation. 2:5 There is one God and therefo”