The Two Books
Christianity holds that God took the initiative and chose to reveal Himself to humanity. This self-disclosure of God is the only way that we could know anything about Him. He is infinite; humans are finite. To know God requires that he reveal Himself to us.
Traditional Christianity has held that God has revealed himself to humanity in two fundamentally different ways. The first is through general revelation or God revealing himself through His created and natural world. This revelation is general in the sense that it is available to everyone at all times in all places. The second is through special revelation - special in the sense that it was given at special times, to special people, and in special places. Usually, God’s special revelation to man is thought to be through Scipture and the life of Jesus Christ on earth.
This teaching of two types of revelation has sometimes been called the “Two Books” doctrine, that is, God has “authored” two books to reveal himself to man - The figurative book of nature and the literal book of the Bible. A reformed confession of 1561 explains this concept further:
We know him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God… Second, he makes himself known to us more openly by his holy and divine Word, as much as we need in this life, for his glory and for the salvation of his own.
A scriptural text supporting the concept of general and special revelation is found in Psalm 19:1-4, 7-11 (ESV):
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their measuring line goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world…The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
More on the two books… Next post.