Don Stewart :: Does General Revelation Prove That the God of the Bible Exists?

Does General Revelation Prove That the God of the Bible Exists?

God Has Spoken to Us – Question 11

Evidence from general revelation does not, by itself, prove that the God of Scripture exists. With all its wonder and beauty, nature does not give us many details about who God is. While it shows that some God does exist, it does not tell us who He is. However it does have value for following reasons:

1. General Revelation Gives Evidence for God’s Existence

Although general revelation does not solve all the problems relating to God’s existence, it does provide evidence that there is a God who does exist. General revelation is part of the case that can be made for the existence of the God of Scripture. We read the following in the Book of Job:

“God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song. All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.” (Job 36:22-26 NIV)

His work is seen by all people. There are no exceptions.

2. General Revelation Testifies to God’s Grace

General revelation is a testimony to the grace of God. Although humanity is in a continuous state of rebellion against Him, God continues to provide for their basic needs. Paul said,

“In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:16, 17 NASB)

God’s gracious providence testifies to His existence.

3. God Holds Everyone Responsible from the Testimony of General Revelation

General revelation is enough to hold people responsible to believe in God’s existence. God has made it clear that no one has any excuses because of the revelation they have received from nature. Paul wrote the following to the Romans:

When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. (Romans 2:14-16 NRSV)

No one can miss the truths revealed by general revelation. While general revelation reveals God’s power, goodness, and righteousness, it does not reveal His plan of salvation.

4. General Revelation Should Be Used with Other Facts

While not enough by itself, general revelation should be used with other evidences that God has provided humanity to the fact of His existence. While general revelation is clear, it can be misinterpreted. Finite human beings, even with the testimony of general revelation, cannot know or understand God.

General revelation leads to some belief about the existence of God, but that is about as far as it goes. General revelation cannot tell us who God is, who we are, or what He wants from us.

Summary – Question 11
Does General Revelation Prove That the God of the Bible Exists?

No, it does not. General revelation only tells us that "some" God exists but it gives us no information about who He is or how we can know Him.

While falling short of proving the existence of the God of the Bible, general revelation does provide evidence that some God does exist. A number of things can be noted.

The intricate design of the universe is a testimony against blind chance. In other words, the God who exist is an intelligent Designer.

General revelation also testifies to God’s grace, namely that He continuously provides for all people; even those who reject Him.

Finally general revelation is enough to hold everyone responsible to the fact that God exists. No one can claim to be ignorant of His revelation.

Consequently general revelation can be used with other evidences to demonstrate the existence of God.

However, further revelation is necessary for us to know the identity of the God who exists.