How do we know about God? How do we know detailed things about God? The answer to both questions is that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. And the ways that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us are just as important as the things He has revealed to us. When we consider the ways that God reveals Himself to us, they can be divided into two categories. Often, these categories are labeled general and special revelation.

 

General revelation is the label that has been placed on the ways that God reveals Himself to us through nature. Psalm 19 informs us that “The heavens declare the glory of God.” As we observe the plant and animal world, we gain insight into their Creator. And Romans 1 informs us that the conscience that God has placed in each of us testifies to His existence. However, general revelation only gives us general knowledge about God. We can learn that He exists, is organized, is powerful, and detail-oriented. But we do not know anything specific about God.

 

This is because God chose to emphasize a different method of revelation. Special revelation is the revelation that God gives to man through words. From the beginning, God has chosen to reveal Himself, His plan, and His love to us through His words. In Genesis 1, God spoke to Adam and gave him instruction and direction. In Genesis 3, we learn that God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and spoke to them. God spoke to Cain, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, and many more. Each of these conversations served to reveal specific details about God and His person to His creation.

 

God places such an emphasis on words being the form of His revelation to man that, in John 1, He called God the Son, the Word. In Christ, God’s revelation (the Word) became flesh and pitched His tent among us. While on earth, Jesus spent His ministry speaking to humanity. Then, as the church was planted, God spoke to Paul, Peter, Philip, and the other New Testament writers. Ultimately, the written scriptures are regarded as the very words of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). While in the past, God spoke audibly to His people, God now speaks to us through the Word of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:12-13). We know about God’s person, plan, and love through His words.

 

Significantly, God chose to reveal Himself through words because He places a high value on words. This means that words become the primary means by which we learn about and worship God. While the arts are a wonderful branch of creativity, they are not the method that God chose to use for revelation. Nor are they the method that he desires for worship. As a result, the church’s life and worship should be centered around God’s Word! Thus, the church sings, prays, reads, and proclaims in worship. Because they all center around words.