Witnessing through Creation and Nature in Evangelism
The natural world serves as a significant avenue for witnessing to God's existence and attributes, a concept rooted in biblical teaching and explored in theological traditions. The creation itself testifies to its Maker, providing a foundation for evangelism [6].
The Bible asserts that God created all things, bringing into existence that which had no prior being [2]. This act of creation is attributed to God the Father, through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit [2]. The creation occurred "in the beginning" over six normal days, according to God's purpose and for His pleasure [2]. This divine authorship means that the "invisible things of him" are "clearly seen" and "understood by the things that are made" since the creation of the world [6]. This suggests that while the natural world cannot independently teach the truth of God without revelation, it confirms this truth once it is apprehended by faith [5, 6]. The outward creation acts as an interpreter of faith in God, which has its primary source within human consciousness, but becomes an articulate conviction through observation of the created order [6].
This understanding implies that creation offers a general revelation of God, making His power and divine nature evident to humanity [6]. Even those who have not received special revelation through scripture or direct prophetic word can perceive aspects of God through the world around them. This general revelation is not merely an intellectual exercise but a profound testimony. For instance, the psalmist notes that "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (Psalm 19:1).
However, while creation reveals God's attributes, it does not fully convey the message of salvation or the person and work of Christ. The core of Christian preaching, or evangelism, is the message that the Savior has come into the world [1]. This "good message" (Greek: evangelion) is proclaimed by "evangelists" (evangelistai) [1]. The testimony of creation, therefore, serves as a preparatory witness, pointing to a divine Creator and establishing a basis for understanding God's power and majesty, but it requires further, specific revelation for the full gospel to be known.
The witness of the Holy Spirit is also crucial in evangelism, confirming the truth of Christ as Messiah, as redeemer, and as the one who perfects saints [4]. This spiritual witness accompanies the faithful preaching of the apostles and is given to believers [4]. Thus, while creation provides a foundational witness, it is complemented by the specific testimony of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ [1, 4].
The concept of witnessing through creation is distinct from the specific prophetic messages given through individuals. God spoke through prophets, multiplying their visions and giving parables [3]. This prophetic witness, along with the historical accounts of Christ's life and work found in the Gospels, provides a more direct and detailed revelation of God's redemptive plan [1].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Hosea “Hosea 12:10 (BSB) — I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Witness of the Holy Spirit — Is truth -- 1Jo 5:6. To be implicitly received -- 1Jo 5:6,9. Borne to Christ As Messiah. -- Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32,33. As coming to redeem and sanctify. -- 1Jo 5:6. As exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance, &c. -- Ac 5:31,32. As perfecting saints. -- Heb 10:14,15. As foretold by himself. -- Joh 15:26. In heaven. -- 1Jo 5:7,11. On earth. -- 1Jo 5:8. The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by -- Ac 14:3; Heb 2:4. The faithful preaching of the Apostles accompanied by -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Given to saints On believing. -- Ac 15:”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:3: we understand--We perceive with our spiritual intelligence the fact of the world's creation by God, though we see neither Him nor the act of creation as described in Gen. 1:1-31. The natural world could not, without revelation, teach us this truth, though it confirms the truth when apprehended by faith (Rom 1:20). Adam is passed over in silence here as to his faith, perhaps as being the first who fell and brought sin on us all; though it does not follow that he did not repent and believe the promise. worlds--literally, "ages"; all that exists in tim”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from--or "since" the creation of the world are clearly seen--the mind brightly beholding what the eye cannot discern. being understood by the things that are made--Thus, the outward creation is not the parent but the interpreter of our faith in God. That faith has its primary sources within our own breast (Rom 1:19); but it becomes an intelligible and articulate conviction only through what we observe around us ("by the things which are made," Rom 1:20). And thus are the inner and the outer revelation of God the comp”