“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” ~ 1 Peter 2:2-3
If you are like me, you have heard many theological terms thrown around and nod your head as if you know what is conversed. For this post, two phrases and their relationship come to mind: general revelation and special revelation. In a day and age when anyone can stick the title of “apostle” in front of their name and claim to have a revelation from God, we need to know what is meant by the term revelation, as we discussed last week; but also, what kinds of revelation God gives humanity. God does not willy-nilly hand out revelations anymore, and His Word teaches there are only two, which are the topic of this post.
First, general revelation is that “light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation” (WCF 1.1). “The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God” (WLC Q2). Bavinck states, “The creation is the first revelation of God, the beginning and foundation of all subsequent revelation. The biblical concept of revelation is rooted in that of creation” (Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, 1:307). These definitions teach one that God’s creation testifies to His power, eternity, wisdom, personality, goodness, and authority. God created humanity in His image, which implies there is a general revelation found, not only outside humanity in the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1; Psa. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:19-20) but also within humanity’s own nature (Gen. 2; Acts 17:28; Rom. 2:14-15). Therefore, general revelation allows one to know God exists “by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely, His eternal power and divinity” (Belgic Confession Art. 2).
Next, special revelation is the necessary Holy Scripture where God “reveal(s) Himself, and unto declare(s) that His will unto His church and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world” (WCF 1.1) because general revelation is not sufficient in itself to do so. It is only by “His Word and Spirit do sufficiently and effectually reveal [God] unto men for their salvation” (WLC Q2). And “the Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (WSC Q3). Regenerated (i.e., “born again”) human hearts love God’s Special Revelation because it is His means to communicate salvation to His elect people through the ages directly (Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:4-10; Luke 1:3-4; Heb. 1:1-2; Rom. 15:4). And the Belgic Confession states, “[God] makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word; that is to say, as far as necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation” (Art. 2). As Joel Beeke states, “It is a mark of the true children of God, from whatever nation they may come, that they desire to worship the true God according to his will and to hear his Word so they may obey it. Having tasted the goodness of the Lord, they desire the Word as newborn babies desire milk” (1 Pet. 2:2-3) (Beeke & Smalley, Reformed Systematic Theology, 1:334).
Finally, as one considers these two definitions and authoritative natures, one must consider their relationship to each other. General revelation drives humanity on a frantic search for God. It may find itself worshiping false idols (Romans 1:1-19) or becoming increasingly frustrated at the wrong turns down wrong paths taken (Psa. 1:4-6). In the Bible alone, humanity can know how to glorify and enjoy its Creator-God. The ability to know God depends directly upon this truth (Psalm 119:1-8). All other avenues lead to error, darkness, and in the end, they lead to death and separation from God (Mark 3:29; Rev. 21:4). God’s Word enables one to know Him. It is His autobiography. He is the author, and He is the subject. It is the only source of pure and totally reliable truth. Yes, God reveals himself in nature, in general revelation. The processes of history and scientific method show forth an all-powerful Creator. However, it is the Bible alone, God’s special revelation, which interprets general revelation in a way that is always consistent with His special revelation. One messes up when one interprets the Bible through the eyes of history, science, or any other form of general revelation. Therefore, one always interprets general revelation by special revelation, and never, ever does one interpret special revelation by general revelation.
Andrews PCA 