General revelation

For a broader description about communication from deity, see revelation.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1) — This verse is taken as a description of God revealing his own character through natural means to all men.

General revelation, or natural revelation,[1] is a concept in Christian theology that refers to God's revelation as it is 'made to all men everywhere',[1] which is discovered through natural means, such as observations of nature (the physical universe), philosophy and reasoning. Christian theologians use the term to describe the knowledge of God purported to be plainly available to all of humanity. General revelation is usually understood to pertain to outward temporal events that are experienced within the world or the physical universe. The definition may be extended to include human conscience or providence (or providential history).

According to Dumitru Stăniloae, the Eastern Orthodox Church's position on general and special revelation stands in stark contrast to Protestant and Roman Catholic theology, which marks a clear difference between the two and tends to posit that the former is not sufficient for salvation. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Stăniloae argues, there is no separation between the two and supernatural revelation merely embodies the former in historical persons and actions.[2]

  1. ^ a b Basic Christianity, John Stott, 1958 Inter-Varsity Press
  2. ^ Staniloae, Dumitru (2000). Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: The Experience of God v. 1 (Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, Volume 1 : Revelation and Knowledge of the Triune God). T.& T.Clark Ltd. ISBN 978-0917651700.