General Revelation – Part 1 – External Revelation
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even his everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says (Rom. 1:20). All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse.
Belgic Confession, Article 2 (1561)
To speak of General Revelation is to speak of God making Himself known (i.e., revealing Himself) to all people everywhere. This revelation is twofold:
- The external revelation of God in nature
- The internal revelation of God in man
External Revelation
God reveals Himself to us through the created world
As we look around us, the evidence of our Creator is everywhere. Consider how fine-tuned the universe is to support human life (anthropic principle); or how amazing it is that Microchiroptera bats can hunt in total darkness by emitting a stream of high-pitched sounds that bounce off their prey and then the resulting echo is received by their very sensitive antennas; or how about the bacterial flagellum with it’s out-board-motor-like propulsion system—complete with a rotor, O-rings, bushings, and drive shaft. Indeed, we live in a world filled with wonders that evidence our loving Creator.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made…
Romans 1:20
God’s creative handiwork is clearly evident to all. Expounding on this point, Paul, speaking to the people of Lystra, said,
Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filing our hearts with food and gladness.
Acts 14:17
To be continued with Internal Revelation . . .
Labels: Revelation, Systematic Theology
posted by The Catechizer and The Deacon | 6:23 AM
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