GENERAL REVELATION OF GOD FOUND IN NATURE, HISTORY AND HUMANITY, PART 3

The New Dictionary of Theology says: “ If we posit a basic unity between general and special revelation, does it not follow that both possess saving potential and that a sinner might turn to God and trust God in the context of general revelation alone if he were limited to it?” 1 If a man were limited to general revelation as for example some of the people living in certain jungle areas where the gospel has not made its entrance, they could reason that all creation around them has a Creator and that they themselves are created creatures by Someone that they can call ‘God’ or any other name. And God can show Himself to them in a personal way, through dreams, miracles or healings. This is a reason why Christians need to be in prayer for those unreached peoples to have a personal revelation that Jesus is their Savior and God. That He touches them at the point of their need and that they believe. I , though, do not believe that where the gospel is preached, that natural revelation alone, where the person can reason about his environment, will turn to God and trust God, or even believe he is a sinner. I believe that in some cases this natural revelation will be enough but from my own personal experience I knows that most people are hard-headed, and not until God reveals Himself in a personal manner, when circumstances have brought them to the end of their rope, and then they seek God by putting themselves in the place where they can hear the gospel and make a confession of faith, will they turn to Him! So yes, both general and special revelation possess saving potential but would lean more to the special revelation as being the most popular, reaching the masses with salvation!

NOTES
1 Sinclair B Ferguson, David F Wright and J.I. Packer eds., New Dictionary of Theology,(Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1988),586.