From Volume 9, Number 4, Spring 2003

It’s All Special

Don Wallace

 A number of years ago I was studying theology at an evangelical seminary. The course divided revelation into two categories: “general” and “special” General revelation was characterized as God revealing Himself through the creation (Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20 are frequently cited). Special revelation was defined as God=s revelation through the Scripture and the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the essential foundational components for salvation and relationship with God.

 A decade or so later, it dawned on me that while the content of my theology course was good, the artificial division of revelation into general and special was rationalistic and created a false dichotomy. “General” implies something that is non-specific and broadly defined. Labeling God’s revelation in the clouds, trees, and mountains as “general” suggests an otherness and lack of relatedness to “special” revelation. This is cannot be. The Word became flesh (i.e., a part of creation) and dwelt among us. If general revelation, by definition, is not special, then there is a tendency to discount the significance of creation and the importance of its care.

 Further, the Scripture affirms the importance of all revelation. It’s all special. Does this mean that a blade of grass is as important as Jesus Christ? No, but Jesus (having become flesh) is the pinnacle of creation, including grass. His exalted place in creation does not diminish, but rather affirms the special quality of all created things.

More accurate categories of revelation are: “special” and “extraordinarily special”.

For God so loved the world (kosmos), he gave his only begotten son...  John 3:16

“I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring to you a clear remembrance of the Creator... One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to occupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made.” - St. Basil (329 — 379)

Don Wallace, along with his wife, Angela Kantola, are members of the Colorado Aidan Fellowship.