God has revealed Himself, broadly speaking, in two ways.
God has made Himself known by way of special revelation. This category of revelation includes dreams, prophecies, and even God’s revelation of Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 1:1–2). So much of what we know about God, we know because of special revelation. While the era of special revelation has ceased, we thank God we have the Bible, the inspired record of special revelation!
God has also made Himself known through general revelation. Unlike special revelation, which provides specific details and truths God would have us to know, general revelation offers a broader, but somewhat more vague, picture of God. When we refer to general revelation, we are referring to what we can know about God by observing the natural created order.
What does the creation teach us about God? First of all, the creation teaches us God exists. Order and design do not appear through the collision of random forces. The degree of design and the delicacy of life in the universe indicate planning and intentionality. Creation teaches us God, the Creator, exists.
Second, the creation teaches us about God’s expressive beauty. Why does the bird sing? Why do waterfalls, mountains, and canyons overwhelm us with a sense of wonder? Why do our tongues have thousands of tastebuds that send signals to our brains, which then interpret such a wide range of flavors? This world is no haphazard hodgepodge of random chance. The beauty all around us flows from the beautiful mind of God.
Finally, the creation teaches that God is a God of love. Love serves no functional purpose from a purely evolutionary standpoint. Evolutionary theory rests on the idea that all living things persist because they have an impulse for survival. Love challenges this notion because love requires self-sacrifice. Love leads a man and woman to remain married and monogamous, even when they cannot have children. Love cares for the elderly and the infirm, even though they may not provide any “benefits” to the survival of the human race. The mere existence of love in the creation proves the existence of a loving Creator.
The Scriptures give us all we need to live a godly life (2 Timothy 3:16– 17). Nothing can replace special revelation. Can we also give attention to general revelation without sacrificing special revelation? Get out of the house and the car and spend some time appreciating God through all that He has made. Watch a sunrise or a sunset. Visit a nature park. Thank God He has made Himself known in all that He has made!
Clay Leonard
