General & Special Revelation

If God exists, then how does he reveal himself to his creation?  If there is a God who created the cosmos, then what purpose did he create it for?   These are questions that the prudent thinker takes very seriously.  Let’s begin answering these questions by laying down some ground rules.  First of all, the Bible is not necessary for knowing that God exists.  Even without the Bible, people can know that there is a distinction between Creator and creation.  Wayne Grudem says, “People can obtain a knowledge that God exists, and a knowledge of some of his attributes, simply from the observation of themselves and the world around them.[1]  Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”[2]  Grudems says further,

“To look at the sky is to see evidence of the infinite power, wisdom, and even beauty of God; it is to observe a majestic witness to the glory of God… Rains and fruitful seasons, food produced from the earth, and gladness in people’s hearts, all bear witness to the fact that their Creator is a God of mercy, of love, and even of joy.  These evidences of God are all around us in creation to be seen by those who are willing to see them.”[3]

This understanding of a Creator revealing himself to his creation is found in the idea of revelation.  The word ‘revelation’ comes from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means “disclosure” or “unveiling.”[4]  Concerning the nature of revelation, B.B. Warfield states,

“The religion of the Bible thus announces itself, not as the product of men’s search after God, if haply they may feel after Him and find Him, but as the creation in men of the gracious God, forming a people for Himself, that they may show forth His praise.  In other words, the religion of the Bible presents itself as distinctively a revealed religion.  Or rather, to speak more exactly, announces itself as the revealed religion, as the only revealed religion; and sets itself as much over against all other religions, which are represented as all products, in a since is which it is not, of the art and device of man” (emphasis added).[5]

Furthermore, the Bible is not necessary for knowing something about God’s character and moral laws.[6]  The knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral law without knowledge of the Bible is called general revelation.  General revelation comes through observing nature, through seeing God’s directing influence in history, and through an inner sense of God’s existence and his laws that he has placed inside every person.[7] 

Although the Bible is not necessary for knowing that God exists or knowing something about God’s character, attributes, and moral laws, the Bibles does speak to this issue in comprehensive form.  Romans 1:19-21 says,

“That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks but hey became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

This passage of Scripture tells us that all men, even the most wicked, have an internal knowledge or perception that God exists and that he is a powerful Creator.  This understanding of general revelation is given by God to all people in the ‘things that have been made,’ referring to all of creation.  Even without the Bible, all persons who have ever lived have had evidence in creation that God exists, that he is the Creator and they are part of his creation and have also had some evidence of his character.[8]  Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.”  Paul addresses that all people everywhere have the Law of God written on their hearts, and that there conscience bears witness to a Creator.  Through nature and through the witness of conscience, all persons know that God exists, God is a mighty creator, and God has revealed himself.

Is this understanding of God revealing himself through creation and in men’s conscience adequate for the needs of men?  Can persons know their Creator only through general revelation?  This is where the need for special revelation comes in. 

General revelation is addressed to all persons everywhere; the other is addressed to a special class of sinners, to whom God would make known His salvation. 

The one has in view to meet and supply the natural need of persons for knowledge of their Creator; the other to rescue broken and deformed sinners from their sin and its consequence.[9]  This is what is known as special revelation. 

What is the purpose of this Creator/creature relationship?  How does God reveal this purpose?  The purpose of this Creator/creature relationship is seen in the character of who God is and why he creates in the first place.  If God is perfect, holy, and good, then his creation should be perfect, holy, and good.  Through the entrance of sin this perfect relationship between the Creator and creature has now been distorted.  Again, special revelation is given to rescue broken and deformed sinners from their sin and its consequence of eternal separation from their Creator.  Special revelation is specific revelation from God that is given to specific people at certain times in history.[10]  The words of the Bible are considered to be special revelation, but special revelation is not limited to the Bible.[11] 

There is an understanding given in general revelation (i.e., through the law on people’s hearts and the witness of conscience) to all persons that they are created for a purpose, but they do not know what this purpose is.  The purpose in which they were created is now distorted; they became futile in there thinking (Romans 1:21) and professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:22).  How then is this problem reversed?  How does one come to know God as they were created to know him?  What is true wisdom?  The answer is found in God’s special revelation to his people in the Bible.  What is the Bible and why is it necessary for knowing the purpose God has for his people and his creation?

The Bible tells the story of God’s purpose for his people and his creation.  We have seen already that God is holy and perfect but for him to be holy and perfect, he must also be just.  God, if completely holy and perfect, cannot be in relationship with a creation that is the complete opposite.  Therefore, God must also be absolutely just.  But how the holiness and justice of God can ever be reconciled with his willingness to forgive sins is a mystery that has never been solved by any religion apart from the Bible.[12]  How does the Bible solve this mystery?

In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, man was in perfect relationship with his Creator.  General revelation was all that was needed in the Garden of Eden because there was yet no sin in the world.[13]  Special revelation is seen primarily in God’s grace giving direction to sinners to be restored to communion with their Maker.  The Bible tells the story of God choosing or electing a specific person in Abraham (Genesis 17) and establishing with Abraham a covenant saying that he will establish an everlasting kingdom through his descendants.  God brings about a nation of people through Abraham called Israel.  Because God has revealed himself to Israel as their Creator and rescued them from slavery in Egypt, God gives them special revelation in the law, or 10 commandments, giving them specific ways in which they shall now live and obey him.  Although and very importantly, the law was never given as an essential list of ‘do’s and don’ts.’  The law was given to Israel to show them their sin, to point out their complete inability to keep the law, and very importantly, point to their need for a Savior.  Special revelation is seen in the words of the Bible that God gives to persons in order to restore communion between God (Creator) and his people (creature/creation) through the death of Jesus.

[2]All Scripture quotations are from the NASB.

[3] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, 121.

[4]Vlauch, Michael J. “The 14 Ways God Has Revealed Himself.”  Issues in Theological Studies.           

[5]Warfield, B.B. “The Biblical Idea of Revelation.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. v. 4, pp. (2573-2582).  Chicago, IL: Howard Severance Co., 1915.

[6]Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, 122.

[7]Ibid.

[8]Ibid.

[9]Warfield, B.B. “The Biblical Idea of Revelation.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. v. 4, pp. (2573-2582).  Chicago, IL: Howard Severance Co., 1915.

[10]Vlauch, Michael J. “The 14 Ways God Has Revealed Himself.”  Issues in Theological Studies..

[11]See “The 14 Ways God Has Revealed Himself” article by Michal J. Vlach. 

[12]Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, 123.

[13]Warfield, B.B. “The Biblical Idea of Revelation.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. v. 4, pp. (2573-2582).  Chicago, IL: Howard Severance Co., 1915.