General Revelation Across Cultures and Societies Throughout History
General revelation refers to God's self-disclosure through the created order and human conscience, accessible to all people at all times, as distinct from special revelation, which is a more specific and direct communication, often through prophets, scripture, or divine acts [3]. This concept suggests that humanity is not left without a witness to God's existence and attributes, even apart from explicit biblical revelation.
The Bible itself alludes to this universal witness. For instance, Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." This poetic declaration points to the natural world as a testament to its Creator. Similarly, Romans 1:19-20 argues that "what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood through what has been made." This passage implies that God's existence and certain characteristics are evident through observation of the created order, leaving humanity "without excuse."
Throughout history, various cultures and societies have exhibited a sense of the divine, often manifesting in religious practices, moral codes, and an awareness of a higher power. Charles Hodge, a prominent Reformed theologian, attributes "all the decorum, order, refinement, and virtue existing among men" to the "general influence of the Spirit (or to common grace)" [6]. He further notes that a "general fear of God, and that religious feeling which prevail among men" are also due to this divine agent [6]. This perspective suggests that the widespread human inclination towards religion and morality is not merely a sociological phenomenon but is rooted in a divine influence that permeates all societies.
The concept of general revelation also encompasses the human conscience. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 2:14-15, writes that "when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." This indicates an innate moral compass within humanity, reflecting a divine standard, even among those who have not received specific divine laws.
While general revelation provides a foundational knowledge of God, it is generally understood to be insufficient for salvation. It reveals God's power, wisdom, and existence, but it does not fully disclose the plan of redemption or the person of Jesus Christ. For this, special revelation is necessary [3]. The "unveiling of those things which had been veiled" is a key aspect of special revelation, as seen in the book of Revelation [4]. The "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" cross-references for Revelation 12:17, for example, point to specific historical and prophetic events, such as Genesis 3:15 and Daniel 7:23, which are part of special revelation [1]. Similarly, the cross-references for Revelation 4:2 highlight visions and specific divine communications [2].
The distinction between general and special revelation has been a significant point in theological discourse. Special revelation, often referred to as the "Word of God," is considered the accurate preservation and propagation of truth in written form [3]. This written revelation, as seen in the Bible, provides a more complete and explicit understanding of God's character, purposes, and redemptive work. The "Jamieson, Fausset & Brown" commentary on Hebrews 1 notes that God revealed himself "at sundry times" and "in many portions" through prophets, with each receiving a specific part of the revelation [5]. This cumulative and progressive nature of special revelation contrasts with the constant, universal, but less specific nature of general revelation.
Thus, while general revelation provides a universal witness to God's existence and attributes across cultures and throughout history, it serves as a preliminary, rather than a complete, disclosure of divine truth.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 12:17 cross-references: Genesis 3:15, Daniel 7:23, Daniel 11:36, Matthew 28:20, John 8:44, 1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:10, Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 11:7, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:12, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 19:19, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:8, Revelation 22:14”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 4:2 cross-references: 1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 6:1, Jeremiah 17:12, Ezekiel 1:26, Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 10:1, Daniel 7:9, Hebrews 8:1, Revelation 1:10, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 4:5, Revelation 4:9, Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:13, Revelation 6:16, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 12:5, Revelation 17:3, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 20:11, Revelation 21:5, Revelation 21:10, Revelation 22:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1 (introduction): 1TITLE: SOURCE AND OBJECT OF THIS REVELATION: BLESSING ON THE READER AND KEEPER OF IT, AS THE TIME IS NEAR: INSCRIPTION TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: APOSTOLIC GREETING: KEYNOTE, "BEHOLD HE COMETH" (Compare at the close, Rev 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): INTRODUCTORY VISION OF THE SON OF MAN IN GLORY, AMIDST THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, WITH SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND. (Rev. 1:1-20) Revelation--an apocalypse or unveiling of those things which had been veiled. A manifesto of the kingdom of Christ. The travelling manual of the Church for the G”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 1 (introduction): THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONED AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND. (Heb 1:1-14) at sundry times--Greek, "in many portions." All was not revealed to each one prophet; but one received one portion of revelation, and another another. To Noah the quarter of the world to which Messiah should belong was revealed; to Abraham, the nation; to Jacob, the tribe; to David and Isaiah, the family; to Micah, the town of nativity; to Daniel, the exact”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: general influence of the Spirit (or to common grace), we owe, — 1. All the decorum, order, refinement, and virtue existing among men. Mere fear of future punishment, the natural sense of right, and the restraints of human laws, would prove feeble barriers to evil, were it not for the repressing power of the Spirit, which, like the pressure of the atmosphere, is universal and powerful, although unfelt. 2. To the same divine agent is due specially that general fear of God, and that religious feeling which prevail among men, and which secur”