In the sense that I am using the terms, even the great Pentecostal revival of the 20 th century that began at Azusa Street was illumination of already existing revelation. When I taught theology years ago at Southwestern Christian University, I tried to make sure my students understood the difference between revelation and illumination. With this in mind, it is wise to refer to such matters as changes in worship style, or updated ministry methods, or even new insight into the Scriptures with the term “illumination” of the Holy Spirit. “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV) therefore, we must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3 KJV see also Galatians 1:8-9 Revelation 22:18-19). Jesus is Himself the final revelation of God. The doctrine of a closed canon has indeed been a vitally important protection for the body of Christ in the Lord’s church through the centuries. The church through the centuries has consistently judged such efforts to be heretical. If their efforts had been successful it would have meant there could be no final standard for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some leaders over the centuries surely have tried to add to the Bible. In the sense that no more Bible is being written, progressive revelation ceased with the writing of the New Testament. The Bible includes sixty-six books that give everything needed for faith and practice, including the guarantee of eternal life with God in heaven. In the era of grace, we hold to the doctrine of a closed canon. This unfolding of the character of God and His plan of redemption of mankind continued through the death and resurrection of Jesus and the ministry of the apostles, and included writing the New Testament. The term, progressive revelation suggests in theology the ongoing discovery of new Biblical revelation, which, of course, is exactly what happened in the Old Testament era (Hebrews 1:1-4). | Frank Tunstall | Biblical Study, Church Growth, Evangelism, Historical Study, Pastoral Development, Scriptures 0 Home › Biblical Study, Church Growth, Evangelism, Historical Study, Pastoral Development, Scriptures ›THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REVELATION AND ILLUMINATION THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REVELATION AND ILLUMINATION
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