Aquinas’ doctrine of revelation is not without virtue or Biblical warrant. First, he rightly estimates the limited capacity of man to know and comprehend God. Whereas the first man, Adam, was created in the imago Dei and walked daily in the Garden with God, as a result of the Fall his soul and capacity for knowing God became corrupted and limited. Even after being justified through the work of Christ, believers still require the indwelling and sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit for communion with the Triune God.
Furthermore, Aquinas’ distinction between recognition of what the Gospel says and sincere comprehension of its contents aligns with Scripture. Many men, as well as demons and Satan himself, have “recognition” of the contents of the Bible, yet have no knowledge of God. Even for believers, simply reading the words of the Bible does not ensure real comprehension of its meaning. The perspicuity of Scripture includes the ministry of the Holy Spirit and His illumination of the believer to the Bible’s contents. Aquinas begins to err, however, on who the Spirit illuminates, which hereafter will be addressed.
Second, Aquinas correctly notes that some believers are called to teach and preach the Word of God. Not all believers are specially gifted by the Spirit to instruct others. Indeed, God calls some to be ministers of the Word and not others. Those whom He calls to ministry He equips with gifts of public speaking, instruction, and insight into the Scripture. Aquinas aptly observes that those gifted with teaching often are further granted insight and illumination into the Word for the edification, as it is with all other spiritual gifts, of the Church. The special emphasis Aquinas places on ministers of Scripture, however, is without Scriptural warrant
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