General revelation

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General revelation is a theological term which refers to a universal aspect of God, his knowledge and of spiritual matters, discovered through natural means, such as observation of nature (the physical universe), philosophy and reasoning, human conscience or providence or providential history. Theologians use the term to describe knowledge of God which is plainly available to all mankind. These aspects of general revelation pertain to outward temporal events that are experienced within the world or this physical universe.

Within this type of revelation, it is believed that God does not use specific words, or specific actions, but more general or encompassing events that occur in creation, conscience, and history1. This belief in general revelation claims to have its support from the scriptures of Romans 1:20, Psalms 19:1-6, and Matthew 5:45. The idea is that general revelation is to show the works and existence of God in indirect ways.

In more detail, General Revelation says:

  1. Physical Universe - God uses the laws and nature of this physical universe to create or influence events to display his existence, power, order, rightness, wisdom, knowledge, greatness, supremacy and goodness.
  2. Human Conscience - God has instilled the innate ability in all persons to discern the differences between right and wrong, to choose and act on these discernments and judgments according to free will and conscience, and to experience guilt when the act or choice is wrong. This aspect of General Revelation implies that God exists, but that depends on the willingness and openness of the person to recognize such an inference.
  3. Providence - refers to things affected by the providence of God. The word providence is to mean, "divine providence; proceeding from divine direction or superintendence; as the providential contrivance of things; as a providential escape from danger."2

It is contended by some that General Revelation is insufficient to impart salvation, or any understanding or knowledge of salvation or the specific role of Jesus Christ. General Revelation is more to the experience of life by a person, and is solely dependent on the ability of the person(s) to clearly comprehend any part of God's hand in external events or things.

General revelation is in contrast with special revelation and direct revelation, the former refers to the knowledge of God and spiritual matters which can be discovered through supernatural means, such as scripture or miracles, and the latter refers to a direct communication from God to a person.

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[edit] Footnotes

  1. Dyer, John, & Crawford, Tommy, "General Revelation" - basictheology.com, Basic Theology.com -"General Revelation"
  2. Webster's 1828 Dictionary, Electronic Version by Christian Technologies, Inc. Webster's 1828 Dictionary Online

[edit] References

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