What is Natural Revelation?

Natural revelation (or general revelation) is the doctrine that God reveals himself through the natural creation. He speaks through his world and through all the marvelous creatures that inhabit it, especially human beings.

The Reformed Doctrine of Natural Revelation

God speaks to mankind every day through the world he has made, making himself known to every man, woman, and child. He is evident in all things, displaying his wisdom, power, and goodness. This is why the lost are without excuse, namely, because they are rebelling against the God they know exists. When they sin, they know whose laws they break, even if they’ve never heard a word of the Bible. That’s because God has made his existence and righteous standards known to everyone, everywhere. There are no honest atheists.

How does this help Christians?

It’s easy to see how this doctrine is useful in evangelism. But it is also good teaching for the Christian life. The revelation of God is all around us. We are constantly in contact with the knowledge of him. “What is natural revelation?” you ask. Allow me to answer in the words of Mr. Tumnus. As he stood beside the lamppost with Lucy Pevensie, she asked him what Narnia was. “Well,” he said, “you’re in it.” We live our lives within natural revelation. In fact, we ourselves are God’s revelation to one another (are we not his image bearers?).

The world around us and the gifts and people with which it is filled are full of the kindness and love of God. Let us enjoy his good gifts and, through them, enjoy the great Giver himself.