#Bavinck2022 Chapter Five: The Manner of Special Revelation
General revelation is fruitful but inadequate. Special revelation on the other hand, is necessary. Bavinck begins the chapter by explaining the necessity of special revelation. This does not mean that God was forced to reveal himself in a special way or that He is in any way contingent upon His creation, but simply that special revelation is a necessary part of God’s plan of restoration. General revelation alone is not sufficient for salvation.
One thing for you to consider as you read this chapter for yourself is the relationship between general and special revelation. How does general revelation lead man to feel a need for a more intimate revelation of God? What does it mean to reject the idea of a “pre-suppositionless investigation” of special revelation?
While there are various terms in Scripture used to describe the manner of special revelation, one of them is set apart from the rest as “especially provocative:'' speaking. Yet, God speaks distinctively in each type of revelation. This quote from page 49 stood out to me as particularly significant, keep an eye out for it as you read:
“The great difference between this speaking on God’s part in the general revelation and that in His special revelation is that in the first God leaves it to man to find out His thoughts in the works of His hands, and that in the second He Himself gives direct expression to those thoughts and in this form offers them to the mind of man.”
Special revelation is where God seeks man out in order to unmistakably show man who God really is. One verse of Scripture that I would recommend committing to heart over the next several weeks as you read this chapter is Hebrews 1:1. Bavinck references it frequently, and it is helpful to keep in mind as we consider the diversity in special revelation.
One section that stood out to me as particularly helpful is Bavinck’s discussion of miracles as special revelation. Since God is the first cause of all things, everything in history can be seen as a miracle. Yet, there are moments where God’s power is made explicit in the world, and those moments are what are typically called miracles. The purpose of miracles are twofold: To display judgment on the godless and to preserve God’s people. We need to look no further to the person of Christ than to see numerous examples of miracles in the Scripture.
Bavinck states it well: “The end and object of all revelation, and of the miracles in that revelation, is the restoration of fallen mankind, the re-creation of the world, and the acknowledgement of God as God.” (55) He ends the chapter on a teaser, introducing the categories of manifestation and inspiration, don’t skip that final paragraph of the chapter.
As you read about miracles in Scripture, remember their purpose and acknowledge God as God for who He is.