by Joe Whiting

Welcome back to the fourth week of big questions and short answers in biblical counseling and theology. This time we will briefly consider the Bible’s authority and general revelation. While it’s true that the creation points toward a Creator, is creation enough to bring one unto salvation? Can the observable world lead someone out of eternal damnation to eternal salvation? Is creation the standard of what’s true? In order to answer these questions let’s compare and contrast the Bible and its authority to general revelation and its authority. 

General revelation also called natural revelation speaks of God revealing Himself to man through His creation (Rom. 1:18-20), as well as through man’s conscience (Rom. 2:14-15). In creation we can see God’s invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature by what He has made (Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1-4). General revelation gives man overwhelming evidence that God exists, however, it does not reveal how man can be saved from his sinfulness and separation from God. That is why God has also graciously provided His Word, the Bible (i.e., special revelation). 

Through the Bible God has revealed Himself to man in a more specific way that goes beyond general revelation. The Bible tells man how to be in a right relationship with God (Ps. 94:12; 119:9; Ez. 14:6; Matt. 3:2, 4:7; John 3:36, 14:6; 2 Cor. 7:10; 2 Pt. 1:3; 1 John 2:5-7; 3:24; 4:13-16; Rev. 2:21), while general revelation does not. Special revelation includes all the words of Scripture, but is not limited to all the words of Scripture. The Bible says not all the words and deeds of Jesus were recorded while He was on earth because of their sheer volume (John 21:25). 

The ultimate form of special revelation is God in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). God spoke in many ways to His people throughout time, but His Son Jesus is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His being (Heb.1:1-3). In Jesus Christ God became a man to identify with us, set an example for us, teach us, to reveal Himself to us, and to provide salvation for us by humbling Himself in substitutionary death on the cross (Phil. 2:6-8). 

Man cannot turn to general revelation in order to be in good standing with God. It did not work for Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter three and it will not work now. Only through reading and submitting to God’s Word can man know how to be right with God (John 14:21, 15:10; 1 John 5:3). General revelation only shows God exists. Scripture, however, tells us how to know God and be made right with Him. Therefore, its authority is far superior to general revelation.

Enjoy the created beauty of general revelation. Consider all the ways the creation points back to the Creator, but realize that no amount of physical evidence can change the unbeliever’s heart (Rom. 1:18). It is only the power of the Holy Spirit working on one’s wicked heart through His Word, His special revelation, that has the power to change a sinner to a saint. Special revelation is the authority over general revelation because of from where it comes (i.e., God) and because of its transforming, salvific power. The Gospel alone, revealed only in Scripture, has the power to save the sinner (Rom. 1:16). Observation of trees, fossils, stars, and planets cannot redeem anyone.

We hope this short answer has been as helpful to you as it has been to us. We give thanks to the Lord who saves through the power of His Spirit empowered Word. Please join us next week as we briefly consider the topic of continuing revelation and how it relates to Scripture. Is God still revealing Himself to men through tongues, miracles, and prophecy or not? Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you.