요한 칼빈의 일반계시 개념과 그 변증학적 의의

John Calvin's Understanding of the General Revelation and Its Apologetical Significance

In Christian theology, even in Reformed tradition, the general revelation has been neglected in its theological and apologetical significance, compared to the special revelation, that is, the Scriptures. The reason for this might be that the general revelation is conceived to be not at work for the salvation. However, the Calvinistic heritage is far from being the biblicism which idolizes the Bible by neglecting the significance of the general revelation. It is true that the general revelation is ineffective in salvation of men, yet it doesn't mean that it turns out to be useless in knowing God. Although the natural theology is inadequate, the general revelation is still adequate in knowing God in the sense that no one is able to escape from His revelation clearly shown in the nature, His providence and in human made in His image. Even the fall doesn't invalidate the revelatory nature of the general revelation. It is still God's revelation, which is supposed to stand forever, in spite of the fall. What the fall ruined is not God's revelation in nature and in man, but the nature and man. In this paper I attempted to show that John Calvin renders the great significance to the general revelation. Specially in his Institutes Calvin emphasizes two knowledges that everyone is supposed to have; the knowledge of God and the knowledge of man. He also emphasizes the inescapableness of the general revelation shown in the nature and human mind. But he doesn't forget to emphasize that the sin blinds the sinners, it distorts the knowability of the general revelation, and it makes them deliberately deny the knowledge of the Creator attained by virtue of the revelation. The knowledge by which Calvin means is not an intellectual ability or a speculation, rather a living experience in relationship with God. The knowledge is revelatory in character. That is why Calvin emphasizes the inescapableness of the knowledge of God of men and the ignorance of the non-believers about God at the same time. Thus Calvin's emphasis on the inescapableness of the general revelation has an apologetical significance. A rational proof or experiential evidence is not enough to defend the truth of Christianity because unbelievers are rational enough to deny any proof or evidence. But they can't deny the revelatory knowledge implanted in their minds. Nor can they deny the foundation in which they live, think, and act. They have to rely on the foundation in even denying its existence. Consequently, Calvin's understanding of the general revelation is very effective in defending the Christianity.