Natural revelation refers to God revealing Himself through nature. The Bible teaches that God’s existence, power, and divine nature can be clearly seen through observing the natural world He created (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20). This is sometimes called “general revelation” since it is available to all people universally. Special revelation refers to God revealing Himself through direct means such as miracles, visions, dreams, prophets, Scripture, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)
Some key aspects of natural revelation include:
- The heavens and celestial bodies reveal God’s glory, creativity, power, and intelligence in designing the universe (Psalm 19:1).
- The natural world reveals God’s eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20).
- God’s existence can be clearly seen and understood through His creation (Romans 1:19).
- God’s invisible qualities are evident through nature – His wisdom, power, beauty, complexity, order, purposefulness (Romans 1:20).
- All people have access to natural revelation, so all are without excuse for not believing in God (Romans 1:20).
- Natural revelation gives a basic knowledge of God, but not a complete revelation of God or His full will and truth.
- Natural revelation gives a general revelation of God available to all people, while special revelation gives a fuller revelation of God and is available through Scripture, Christ, and the Spirit.
Natural revelation provides a basis for faith in God and leaves people without excuse in denying God’s existence and power. However, natural revelation is limited in what it can reveal about God. Natural revelation alone cannot bring people to salvation. Special revelation is required to know God’s full nature and have a relationship with Him.
Natural revelation reveals God’s glory, power and divine nature, but not His character, will or plan of salvation. Special revelation is required to know God personally. Natural revelation shows God’s invisible attributes, while special revelation shows God’s heart and character. Natural revelation is how God manifests His existence to all people, while special revelation manifests His grace and love to save people.
Natural revelation gives the basic knowledge that God exists, but not the saving knowledge of God’s love and forgiveness found in the gospel. It reveals God’s power as Creator, but not His mercy as Redeemer. Nature displays God’s wisdom and greatness, but only Scripture reveals His grace and truth in Christ.
Some truths about God only knowable through special revelation include:
- God is triune – Father, Son and Spirit.
- God is loving, compassionate and forgiving.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins.
- We are saved by grace through faith in Christ.
- The specific truths, commands and promises contained in Scripture.
Natural revelation gives a general, universal revelation available to all people through creation and conscience. Special revelation gives a fuller, clearer revelation of God focused on salvation and relationship with God. Natural revelation displays God’s existence and divine attributes. Special revelation reveals God’s character and will. Natural revelation is how God manifests Himself generally to all humanity. Special revelation is how God reveals Himself intimately to His people.
Natural revelation comes through observing nature and the physical world God created, which universally testifies to His existence, wisdom and power. Special revelation comes directly from God through miracles, visions, prophets, Jesus Christ and Scripture. Natural revelation is continuous and ongoing through creation. Special revelation occurs at specific times through redemptive words and acts of God.
Natural revelation is mediated generally through the physical world, while special revelation is mediated directly through God’s spiritual intervention. Natural revelation is universal and available to all people as a witness of God’s existence and power. Special revelation is covenantal and available to God’s people through His specific words, acts and revelations.
Natural revelation is truth that can be derived from nature – God’s existence, power, divine attributes. Special revelation is truth directly revealed by God – His will, ways, truth and plan of salvation. Natural revelation shows there is a Creator. Special revelation shows this Creator wants to be our Savior and Friend. Natural revelation is discovered through observation and reason. Special revelation is received through faith and the Spirit.
Natural revelation leaves people without excuse for denying God’s existence because it clearly testifies to His eternal power and divine nature. However, natural revelation alone cannot lead to knowledge of God’s love, forgiveness and plan of salvation that comes through special revelation in Scripture and Christ.
Special revelation completes what natural revelation starts by revealing God’s character and grace. Natural revelation makes God’s basic existence intelligible while special revelation makes His salvation understandable. Natural revelation displays God’s utter transcendence over nature. Special revelation displays His amazing immanence within human history.
Natural revelation proceeds from God’s power. Special revelation proceeds from God’s grace. Natural revelation exposes our guilt. Special revelation brings God’s pardon. Natural revelation manifests God’s wisdom as Creator. Special revelation manifests His love as Redeemer. Natural revelation shows us a God from whom we are alienated. Special revelation shows us a God with whom we can be reconciled.
Natural revelation gives the knowledge about God we desperately need. Special revelation gives the knowledge of God we desperately crave. Natural revelation leaves in awe of God’s greatness. Special revelation leaves us amazed at His nearness. Natural revelation leaves us convicted and without excuse. Special revelation brings comfort and assurance of God’s amazing grace.
Some key differences between natural and special revelation include:
- Source – Natural: Creation, conscience. Special: Miracles, visions, prophets, Christ, Scripture.
- Availability – Natural: Universal and available to all. Special: Given specifically to God’s people.
- Content – Natural: God’s existence, power, divinity. Special: God’s character, will, way of salvation.
- Means – Natural: Discovered through observation. Special: Received through faith and the Spirit.
- Purpose – Natural: Leaves people without excuse. Special: Leads people to salvation.
Natural revelation is limited in what it can reveal about God. Some limitations include:
- Cannot reveal God’s full nature, character, purposes and will
- Cannot reveal God’s plan of salvation through Christ
- Cannot bring people to redemptive knowledge of God
- No basis for relationship with God
- No understanding of God’s commands, truth or deeper biblical doctrines
- No knowledge of the Trinity or the incarnation of Christ
- Cannot transform the heart or will of man
Special revelation was required in addition to natural revelation because nature alone is insufficient to lead us into a saving relationship with God. Natural revelation gives the truth that God exists. Special revelation gives the truth about God that we need to be reconciled to Him.
Natural revelation was never intended to function alone, but was meant to prepare people for the special revelation that was to come. Natural revelation makes us aware of God’s existence and power, creating a universal consciousness of divinity. Special revelation then completes what natural revelation started.
Natural revelation gives the truth we desperately need – that God exists and created all things. But we desperately crave the fuller truth given in special revelation that God loves us, seeks us and wants to save us through Christ. Natural revelation was God’s first word, while special revelation was God’s final word and the culmination of divine revelation.
Natural revelation shows us our guilt before God and leaves us without excuse. But special revelation brings the only remedy to that guilt – God’s grace shown to us in Jesus Christ. Natural revelation exposes the international problem of sin and condemnation. Special revelation brings the international solution of justification and reconciliation with God.
Natural revelation manifests God’s demand for holiness in His moral law. Special revelation manifests His provision for holiness in the gospel. Natural revelation declares all people guilty before God. Special revelation declares the hope of righteousness before God through faith in Christ.
Natural revelation puts all people in a position of needing special revelation. General revelation gives universal implications that lead to a need for specific revelations about salvation and restoration. Natural revelation gives the bad news of condemnation. Special revelation gives the good news of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Natural revelation shows us the God who cannot overlook sin. Special revelation shows us the God who takes away sin. Natural revelation displays God’s holiness and majesty. Special revelation displays His mercy and grace. Natural revelation manifests God’s demand for perfection. Special revelation manifests His provision for reconciliation.
Natural revelation reveals law, judgment and human inadequacy before God. Special revelation brings forgiveness, grace and divine empowerment. Natural revelation shows our universal need for salvation. Special revelation shows Christ as the exclusive source of that salvation. The two work hand in hand – nature creates desire, Scripture shows fulfillment.
Natural revelation alone leads either to ignorance of God or terror of God. Coupled with special revelation, it leads to saving knowledge of God, faith in Christ, and relationship with God. Natural revelation makes God’s existence rationally undeniable. Special revelation makes God’s salvation spiritually unforgettable.
General revelation shows us a God that seems distant and unreachable. Special revelation shows us a God who desired to draw near, speak tenderly to us, and adopt us as His beloved children through Christ.
Natural revelation displays God’s glory in creation. Special revelation displays God’s glory in salvation. Natural revelation manifests God’s power outside us. Special revelation manifests God’s power to transform us from within. Natural revelation shows us a grand God over us. Special revelation shows us a personal God who cares for us.
The divine truth found in natural revelation is somewhat accessible but ultimately incomplete. The divine truth given through special revelation is complete, perfect and able to make us wise unto salvation. Natural revelation begins the conversation about God. Special revelation tells us how it ends – with life eternal through Christ.
In summary, natural revelation refers to how God has manifested Himself generally to all humanity through creation and conscience. It reveals His eternal power and divine nature. Special revelation refers to how God has manifested Himself specifically to His people throughout history, culminating in Christ and Scripture. It reveals His character and way of salvation.
Natural revelation gives the truth about God we desperately need. Special revelation gives the truth about God we desperately crave. Natural revelation leaves all without excuse for denying God. Special revelation leaves us with full assurance of His amazing grace. Natural revelation is God’s first word. Special revelation is God’s final word.