Lecture on "What is Revelation?"

The Dudleian lecture for this year was delivered last evening by the Rev. G. A. Gordon '81 in Emerson Hall. The subject of the lecture was "What is Revelation?"

The fundamental difference between natural and revealed religion, said Dr. Gordon, should be sought in their sources. Natural religion has its basis in the cosmos, or natural man; while revealed religion from its very nature is supernatural: a body of truth supernaturally revealed by God through the instrument of His chosen agent.

There are three fundamental and universal requisites without which revealed religion cannot exist. There must be, in the first place, an implicit, instinctive interpretation of the universe through some human agent. The fascination of the New Testament is due in no small degree to the dominance of Jesus Christ as the Supreme Man.

In the second place, this interpretation must have the power to impress human minds and to influence human lives. A man who through all the changes and vicissitudes of life has remained true to his religion can no longer doubt his belief.

Finally, there must be a record, affording a substantial and material proof of the theoretical and ideal interpretation. Truth exists from the first: it awaits, however, the coming of a man of transcendent genius to be recorded and preserved, and to become, in its full consummation, revealed religion