Woodfin contends that there is no such thing as "pure reason" or "mere reason" and therefore he opts to call this category of knowledge the "rational/reflective channel of knowledge." He writes, "Reason may . . . be a legitimate means of obtaining knowledge of God when it is a coherent and consistent conceptual reflection upon that which has been given through divine revelation." (Woodfin, With All Your Mind, 31) He further contends that the very reality of humanities need for "revelation" of God indicates the ultimate limitations and insufficiency of human reason or rationality. In short, revelation is verification that reason has its limits.
Woodfin utilizes Paul's Sermon on the Mount as a basis for his conclusions. He indicates that upon examination it is obvious that Paul's main objective is evangelistic while his method of persuasion is rationalistic. Paul points first to the rational inconsistencies of Athenian religion and then to the rational consistencies of Christian faith. In addition, Paul roots his proclamation in the context of confidence regarding the historical legitimacy of the Christian faith.
