Many theologians affirm that nature reveals God. Passages like Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20 affirm that God’s creation proclaims the glory of God, making known his eternal power and divine nature.
Psalm 19:1-4
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Christians have debated, however, the value and authority of this “second book of revelation.” As an example of this ongoing debate, consider the companion articles on the “Two Books Metaphor” by Marty Folsom and Loren Wilkinson in CRUX, a theology journal.
Discussion Questions:
- Why does Folsom find the two books metaphor problematic?
- If God reveals himself in nature, who doesn’t everyone see God when they watch a beautiful sunset? Paul offers his answer in Romans 1:18-25; Folsom hints at another answer. What do you think?
- Wilkinson claims that both “books” require interpretation; neither is unambiguous. As a result Scripture and nature can illuminate one another. Folsom explains how Scripture helps interpret nature; how might nature help us interpret scripture?
- Who do you find yourself agreeing with? Why?
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