Natural theology is the study of what God has revealed about Himself through nature, without relying on special revelation found in Scripture. It seeks to understand God and His attributes by observing the natural world He created. Some key aspects of natural theology include:
Evidence of God’s Existence
Natural theology argues that the existence, wisdom, power, and goodness of God can be inferred from the order and complexity of the natural world. For example, the apparent fine-tuning of the universe for life suggests a wise and purposeful Creator. The existence of objective moral values implies a transcendent moral lawgiver. Beautiful and intricate design in nature points to an intelligent Designer behind it all. These are examples of how God’s fingerprints can be seen in creation.
General Revelation
Theologians make a distinction between general revelation and special revelation. General revelation refers to what can be known about God through nature, conscience, and reason. Special revelation is God’s direct self-disclosure through supernatural means such as Scripture, miracles, dreams, visions, etc. Natural theology relies on general revelation, seeking truth about God and morality that is accessible to all people everywhere. Special revelation gives more specific truths about God’s redemptive plan in Scripture.
Arguments for God’s Existence
Throughout history, philosophers and theologians have formulated various arguments appealing to evidence in nature, logic, and human experience to demonstrate God’s existence. Some of the most well-known include:
- Cosmological argument – Based on the fact that everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist at the Big Bang, so it must have a transcendent cause outside of space and time, which is God.
- Teleological argument – Points to the remarkable fine-tuning of the cosmos and complexity of life as evidence for an intelligent Designer.
- Moral argument – The existence of objective morality requires a transcendent source of moral truth and duties. Our moral sense points to a moral lawgiver.
- Ontological argument – Begins with the concept of a maximally great Being. Existence is greater than non-existence. Therefore, a maximally great Being must exist, which is God.
- Cumulative case – No one argument may be convincing alone, but the force of multiple lines of evidence makes a strong case.
These philosophical arguments have been discussed and debated extensively. Proponents believe they demonstrate God’s existence. Critics argue they have flaws or point to different conclusions. But they remain an important aspect of natural theology.
Natural Law and Conscience
Natural theology proposes that basic moral principles are self-evident to human reason and conscience. This is sometimes called natural law theory. It suggests all people have consciences imprinted with core values like justice, goodness, and human rights. This points to a higher moral lawgiver who instilled this universal moral code. Our shared sense of right and wrong implies objective moral truths that require a divine source. Skeptics argue morality is socially conditioned, while natural law supporters see conscience as evidence for God.
Limits of Natural Theology
While natural theology offers arguments for God’s existence and glimpses of His attributes, it has limits. Nature alone cannot reveal God’s full character, His love demonstrated at the cross, or His specific plans for humanity. General revelation provides a basic knowledge of God, but special revelation in Scripture more fully reveals His nature and relationship with mankind. Natural theology can remove barriers to faith, but cannot produce saving faith. It complements rather than replaces the need for God’s Word.
Historical Development
Natural theology has been practiced for thousands of years. Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and other ancient Greek and Roman philosophers speculated about a Creator based on observation of the natural world and human reason. Christian thinkers like Augustine, Anselm, and Thomas Aquinas formulated classic arguments still discussed today. Deists in the Enlightenment emphasized natural theology detached from Scripture. Since the rise of modern science, some argue the teleological argument is outdated, while others say fine-tuning discoveries strengthen the case for intelligent design.
Relation to Revealed Theology
Natural theology investigates what can be known about God through general revelation in creation. Revealed theology, also called biblical theology, focuses on special revelation – God’s self-disclosure in Scripture and Jesus Christ. Revealed theology interprets the Bible to understand God’s character and works. Christians believe natural theology and revealed theology complement one another. Nature displays God’s glory, while Scripture reveals His redemptive plan. Together they provide a fuller understanding of our Creator.
Key Figures in History of Natural Theology
Some significant contributors to natural theology throughout history include:
- Plato (428-348 BC) – Argued for existence of eternal, unchanging Forms or Ideas using reason.
- Aristotle (384-322 BC) – Developed prime mover argument for an unmoved source of all motion and change.
- Cicero (106-43 BC) – Roman orator who wrote about natural law and universal human rights.
- Augustine (354-430) – Christian thinker who articulated natural law theory and human yearning for God.
- Anselm (1033-1109) – Formulated ontological argument for God’s existence from concept of greatest conceivable being.
- Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) – Outlined five ways to demonstrate God’s existence using logic and observation.
- William Paley (1743-1805) – Presented watchmaker analogy that complex design implies a designer.
- William Lane Craig (born 1949) – Contemporary Christian philosopher defending cosmological and moral arguments for God.
These thinkers analyzed nature, reason, and human experience to articulate evidence for God’s existence without appealing directly to Scripture. Their philosophical arguments continue to shape natural theology discussions today.
Criticisms of Natural Theology
Natural theology has been critiqued on various grounds, including:
- Insufficient for saving faith – While it may demonstrate a generic god, natural theology cannot produce saving faith in Jesus Christ.
- Subjective experience – People may interpret nature and conscience differently based on perspective.
- Flawed arguments – Logical or evidential weaknesses are found in cosmological, design, or ontological arguments.
- Evolutionary origins – Moral sense, conscience, and reason developed naturally, not from God.
- God of the gaps – Invoking God to explain what science has yet to discover, gaps that shrink over time.
These critiques argue natural theology alone cannot definitively prove attributes about a supernatural God. But proponents see natural theology as an important start that complements special revelation.
Traditional Christian Perspective
The traditional Christian perspective holds that natural theology can provide some basic knowledge of God, but Scripture is needed for salvation and deeper understanding. Key points include:
- General revelation in creation gives evidence for God’s existence, power, wisdom and moral law.
- Special revelation (the Bible) is needed to know God’s character and redemptive plan.
- Human reason and conscience are impacted by sin, so Scripture clarifies God’s truth.
- Natural theology arguments can support faith, but do not replace the gospel.
- God’s Word inspired by the Spirit has greater authority than human philosophy.
- Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture is the ultimate self-revelation of God.
This view sees value in natural theology but recognizes its limitations. It points to Christ and Scripture as the full revelation of God necessary for salvation.
Connection to Intelligent Design
Intelligent design is the view that empirical evidence in nature points to an intelligent cause, rather than undirected processes like natural selection. While not claiming to identify the designer, the theory argues certain biological systems and fine-tuning of the universe are best explained by intelligence. Intelligent design and natural theology overlap in appealing to evidence from the natural world rather than Scripture. Both infer purpose and design which seems to imply a Creator. Critics say intelligent design is merely creationism in disguise. Proponents argue it is a scientific theory based on observable data pointing to an intelligent cause.
Practical Application
For the Christian, natural theology provides intellectual support for faith, increases awe at God’s glory in creation, and offers a starting point when speaking with nonbelievers. But it is not a replacement for the gospel. Evangelism and teaching should emphasize special revelation in Scripture that transforms hearts and minds. For nonbelievers, natural theology may raise new questions about origins and morality that lead them to consider the case for God’s existence. But Christians should graciously point them to Christ as the clearest revelation of God to save humankind and restore creation.