by Divine Revelation
What is known about God, is only what He wants revealed. He has not revealed everything all at once, it is progressively given. It is how God communicates knowledge about Himself, and the effect is to render people wiser.[1]Higgins explains, “Simply put, revelation is the act of making known something that was previously unknown. . .The ultimate goal of divine revelation is that people will come to know God in a real and personal way.”[2]
Divine revelation is information about God and the presentation of God. God reveals through His words and actions with many different pieces of information including His person, ways, values, purposes, and plan of salvation. Higgins states, “revelation about God is crucial to the knowledge of God.”[3] God makes Himself known when and how He wants on his own initiative.[4]He also determines what the revelation will be, what form it will be, and all the varied conditions and circumstances required within the process. This is a controlled self-disclosure of His choosing.[5] Revelation is defined as the act, or process of revealing and the result, or product, of what was revealed which includes Scripture as an accurate record of the original revelation.
The entire field of theology is grounded on the doctrine of Scripture and revelation.[6] God has revealed Himself holding several different titles including Creator and Redeemer. Creator through creation and providence, Redeemer through Scripture, and its Spirit-inspired testimony, with Jesus Christ.[7] Christianity is fundamentally a religion of divine revelation that consists of God initiating in the history of Israel, explaining through prophets its significance, and fulfilling the historical existence of Jesus Christ, His Son, who was declared by the apostles.[8]
God has all knowledge from all eternity and reveals what He wants revealed at whatever time and place He chooses on all things that pertain to objects in the created universe or of Himself. [9] He also hides what He does not want revealed at a specified time (e.g. cure for cancer). It is through grace and mercy that God continues to reveal himself to fallen humanity.[10] God reveals Himself in two distinct ways: through general revelation and special revelation.[11]
General Revelation
General Revelation is available to people everywhere and it tells people some of whom God is, that He exists, He is good, and that He is powerful.[12] It is God’s communication of Himself to all people, all of the time, and at all places. The content of the message is less particularized and detailed than special revelation. [13] Scriptures on General Revelation (see Appendix A) lists the many biblical passages on general revelation and what each informs everyone about God.
General revelation has been found in three areas: humanity, history, and nature. Some theologians have developed natural theology which studies the way in which God’s existence is known outside of the Bible and using reason. Other theologians, Karl Barth for example, reject both general revelation and natural theology. The view presented in this training is the acceptance of general revelation, rejection of natural theology, and the effect of sin from Adam and Eve prevents the unbeliever from coming to a believer’s knowledge of God.[14] Erickson states, “The salvation of the individual through God’s general revelation can only be measured by faith.”[15]
Humanity
Humanity is God’s highest earthly creation and His general revelation can be seen in the physical structure and their mental capacities. Everywhere, all the time, people believe in the existence of a higher reality and even something higher than humans collectively.[16] God’s character is best perceived in people’s moral and spiritual qualities.[17] Certain people have brought attention to various moral impulses that characterizes human beings, and some theologians and philosophers agree that not all people hold to a given moral code, but they do all have a moral impulse or moral consciousness.[18]
History
History – God is constantly moving toward certain goals and His working should be detectable through trends and events that occur as part of history. Some examples of where God is moving the course of history and controlling outcomes include Job 12:23, Psalm 47:7-8, Psalm 66:7, Isaiah 10:5-13, Daniel 2:21, and Acts 17:26.[19]
Nature
Nature – The broadest way through general revelation is through nature as it is where God has already taken the initiative to be seen before a person is born. A person is born into a situation where the invisible God can be made known through what is visible.[20] Psalm 104 declares God’s creative work, a narration of all the He has done. Many other passages testify of His greatness.[21]
Proposal of Natural Theology
Proposal of Natural Theology states that there is valid, objective revelation of God in the spheres of nature, history, and human personality, and it is possible to gain some true knowledge of God from these spheres to construct a theology apart from a commitment of faith, any special authority, institution, or document to come to the genuine knowledge of God based on reason alone. Erickson states, “Reason here refers to the human capacity to discover, understand, interpret, and evaluate the truth.”[22] There are specific assumptions to this viewpoint. First, the handiworks general revelation that God has made himself known and that patterns of meaning are objectively present and independent of whether they are perceived, understood, or accepted.[23] This includes the belief that the truth about God is observable within the creation, not projected upon it by an existing believer.[24] Second, the integrity of people perceiving and learning from creation to correctly interpret the Creator’s handiwork are not hindered by humanity’s natural limitations or the effects of sin from the fall.[25]
Objections to General Revelation and Natural Theology
Objections to General Revelation and Natural Theology – Originally, Karl Barth was educated in the standard liberalism perceptions which did not take the Bible seriously and rested many of its assertions on a type of natural theology. He was skeptical that people were able to know God apart from the revelation in Christ. Knowing about the existence and being of God without knowing anything of his grace and mercy would remove the unity of God and take away from the fullness of his activity. Barth’s perception was that revelation was always and only the revelation of God in Jesus Christ where the Word became flesh and that there was no revelation without that conclusion.
Acceptance of General Revelation, Rejection of Natural Theology
Acceptance of General Revelation, Rejection of Natural Theology – Even after the fall, God has provided an objective, valid, and rational revelation of Himself in humanity, history, and nature regardless of whether it is observed, understood, or believed. Examples include Psalm 19:1-2 and Romans 1:19-20. God’s work of creation and providence is already present, and a person does not have to read into nature because that person knows God from other grounds.[26] Genesis 3:16-19 explains how sin (along with people’s continued acts of evil) changed the relationship with His creations and Himself and possibly a change in the general revelation.[27] Sin has had a serous effect on humans and Scripture speaks of it in several places including Romans 1:21 and 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Calvin uses an analogy with glasses where a non-believer can not see God’s creation but when the person becomes a believer, “the spectacles of faith” improve the spiritual sight and God’s handiwork can be seen. Erickson states, “When persons are exposed to the special revelation found in the gospel and respond, their minds are cleared through the effects of regeneration, enabling them to see distinctly what is there.”[28] Based on Scripture, there is general revelation, but that it cannot be used to construct a natural theology.[29]
Special Revelation
Special Revelation is where God reveals Himself in particular ways and methods at specific times, to specific people for a redemptive purpose. It informs people of the incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. Things that cannot be learned through general revelation and is primarily and mostly found in Scripture.[30] This is needed so God can differentiate Himself from the other false gods that people create from various objects presented to their senses within general revelation.[31] It is needed for a person to arrive at God’s plan of redemption. For Adam in Eden, examples included moral norms, commands, and prohibitions. All of these were special revelations and not general revelations.[32]
Special revelation occurs in many ways and forms, including theophanies, dreams, visions, prophecies, and tradition. Any other forms of special revelation are only known through Scripture.[33] These revelations are primarily given through the prophets and apostles in the Bible.[34] Some of these people are known by name while others are not. Some documented them down, but many are learned through the witness of others, and some are from oral tradition.[35] An example of oral tradition would be the Book of Genesis where nothing was directly written down until centuries afterward. Within the New Testament, Jesus did not write anything down but others like Paul, Peter, Jude, and John have witnessed and documented their observations and understandings. Fortunately, the Bible is accurate and has the wonderful news stating that God has provided a path of redemption through special revelations as nature and humanity do not disclose this. The Old Testament forecasts the coming Redeemer, and the New Testament tells of His coming and explains its meaning.[36]
There are added truths to general revelation that make it special revelation. They are personal, understandable, progressive, recorded, and transmitted.[37]
Personal
Personal – Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is a personal relationship the continues to grow through discipleship. “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31, NIV). Higgins states, “While neoorthodoxy views special revelation solely in the person of Christ and sees the Scriptures as only a ‘witness’ to this divine revelation, ‘evangelical Christianity acknowledges both the living Word and the written Word as revelation.’”[38]
Understandable
Understandable – God’s Word is understandable for everyone and employs analogical language which is between univocal and equivocal language. An example is, “when we say that runners run a marathon and that a train runs between Chicago and Detroit.”[39] Higgins explains, “God … knowing all things completely, therefore knows which elements of human knowledge and experience are sufficiently similar to the divine truth that they can be used to help construct a meaningful analogy.”[40]
Progressive
Progressive – God revealed Himself progressively over time and each special revelation was a supplement and not a correction nor a contradiction. “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Heb. 1:1-2)
Recorded
Recorded – God ensured that the necessary special revelations (through different methods) were documented in the Bible. There are three plausible reasons:
First, an objective standard to be analyzed which provides increased confidence.[41]
Second, it ensures the completeness and continuity of God’s special revelation. [42]
Third, it preserves the truth of God’s Word over long periods of time. [43]
Transmitted
Transmitted – Being in a permanent form, the Bible can be an interpreter of God’s Word and be read multiple times to learn more about Him. Higgins explains, “The Bible faithfully records God’s acts and enhances our understanding of them by providing God’s own interpretation of those acts.[44]
Call for Personal Discipleship
To be an imitator of Jesus Christ and fulfill His commands, a Disciple must grow in their relationship with Jesus and understand how to develop that relationship by knowing who He is and what He has revealed. There needs to be a continued effort on reading His Word and learn what He is revealing for continued belief in Him and His redemptive message. With the “spectacles of faith” on, a believer can enjoy the general revelations along with the special revelations. There is value in reading different translations as that may stimulate thinking and see the various shades of meaning within the Bible.[45] Higgins states, “Revelation is personal communication that starts with God as a personal being who loves and provides for His creation. Humankind’s greatest honor is to be able to know God and glorify Him forever.”[46]
Reflection on Content
Reflection – Read aloud various (pre-selected) passages and have the small group determine if the revelation is general or special, and why. Look for opportunities to continue any relevant conversations and the importance of the message of the gospel.
Each disciple openly reflects what has stood out for him or her to the small group listing their favorite general revelation and special revelation. Attempt to integrate current life situations that might relate and show the importance of the gospel to each of the revelations provided.
Create Action Plan
Each disciple creates a three-week action plan where the first week, the disciple identifies ten general revelations and three are memorized. The second week, the disciple identifies ten special revelations and three are memorized. The third week, the six memorized verses are analyzed through two different versions of the Bible.
Each disciple pairs up with another to be an accountability coach for each other and to setup weekly check-ins with each other.
Conclusion
Establish a follow-up call schedule with each disciple for follow-up (including the Scripture memorizations and different versions).
** Note from Professor – An excellent job, Shawn! Keep it up. – Dr. Jonathan Waita
Appendix A Scriptures on General Revelation
“Bruce Demarest has provided us with a convenient and accurate summary of what the biblical passages on general revelation tell us about God:
God exists (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:19)
God is uncreated (Acts 17:24)
God is Creator (Acts 14:15)
God is Sustainer (Acts 14:16; 17:25)
God is universal Lord (Acts 17:24)
God is self-sufficient (Acts 17:25)
God is transcendent (Acts 17:24)
God is immanent (Acts 17:26–27)
God is eternal (Ps. 93:2)
God is great (Ps. 8:3–4)
God is majestic (Ps. 29:4)
God is powerful (Ps. 29:4; Rom. 1:20)
God is wise (Ps. 104:24)
God is good (Acts 14:17)
God is righteous (Rom. 1:32)
God has a sovereign will (Acts 17:26)
God has standards of right and wrong (Rom. 2:15)
God should be worshiped (Acts 14:15; 17:23)
Man should perform the good (Rom. 2:15)
God will judge evil (Rom. 2:15–16)
In sum: God’s glory (Ps. 19:1), divine nature (Rom. 1:20), and moral demands (Rom. 2:14–15) are to some extent known through general revelation.”[47]
Bibliography
Bray, Gerald. “Special Revelation.” In Lexham Survey of Theology. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Higgins, John R. “God’s Inspired Word.” In Systematic Theology: Revised Edition. Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2007.
Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
Menzies, William W. Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 1993.
Sanders, Fred. “The Doctrine of Scripture and Revelation.” In Lexham Survey of Theology. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018.
Sproul, R. C. Can I Trust the Bible?. Vol. 2. The Crucial Questions Series. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust: A Division of Ligonier Ministries, 2017.
Studer, Basil. “God.” Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic; InterVarsity Press, 2014.
[1] Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 155.
[2] John R. Higgins, “God’s Inspired Word,” in Systematic Theology: Revised Edition (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2007), 61-62.
[3] Ibid., 62.
[4] Fred Sanders, “The Doctrine of Scripture and Revelation,” in Lexham Survey of Theology (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018).
[5] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 64.
[6] Sanders, “The Doctrine”.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Basil Studer, “God,” Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic; InterVarsity Press, 2014), 150.
[9] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 62–63.
[10] Ibid., 65.
[11] R. C. Sproul, Can I Trust the Bible?, vol. 2, The Crucial Questions Series (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust: A Division of Ligonier Ministries, 2017), 3.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 122.
[14] Ibid., 121.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid., 124.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Erickson, Christian Theology, 124.
[19] Ibid., 123.
[20] Sanders, “The Doctrine”.
[21] Erickson, Christian Theology, 125.
[22] Erickson, Christian Theology, 129.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Erickson, Christian Theology, 136.
[27] Ibid.
[28]Ibid., 137.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Sproul, Can I Trust, 3–4.
[31] Sanders, “The Doctrine”.
[32] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 76.
[33] Sanders, “The Doctrine”.
[34] Gerald Bray, “Special Revelation,” in Lexham Survey of Theology, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018).
[35] Ibid.
[36] William W. Menzies, Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 1993), 21.
[37] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 76.
[38] Ibid.
[39] Erickson, Christian Theology, 148.
[40] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 77.
[41] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 78.
[42] Ibid.
[43] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 78.
[44] Ibid., 79.
[45] Menzies, Bible Doctrines, 38–39.
[46] Higgins, “God’s Inspired”, 65.
[47] Erickson, Christian Theology, 128.