The call of 1 Peter 3:15 is clear: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
But how can we defend the faith unless we know the source of our truth? That source is the revelation of God—both in creation and in His written Word.
1. General Revelation: God’s Witness in Creation
From the vastness of the galaxies to the intricate design of a single cell, creation preaches a sermon that no one can silence.
Paul writes in Romans 1:20:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
David echoes this in Psalm 97:6:
“The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory.”
Key truths from general revelation:
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God’s existence is self-evident through what He has made.
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His attributes—power, wisdom, creativity—are observable in nature.
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This leaves every person accountable to respond to Him.
When defending the faith, general revelation is a powerful starting point for conversations with skeptics because it appeals to what they can already see.
2. Special Revelation: God’s Word as Final Authority
While creation tells us that God exists, only Scripture tells us who He is and how we can be saved.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 declares:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Here’s why this matters in apologetics:
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Scripture is God-breathed – It carries His authority.
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It is profitable – It corrects wrong thinking, shapes our morals, and equips us to live faithfully.
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It is sufficient – We don’t need to supplement God’s Word with man-made philosophies to defend the truth.
3. The Dependence of Man on God’s Revelation
Psalm 100:3 reminds us:
“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
This is not just poetic language—it’s a worldview statement. We are dependent on God for truth, wisdom, and direction.
Paul drives this home in Colossians 2:3:
“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Every defense of the Christian faith must be built on this dependence. If Christ holds all wisdom, then human reasoning apart from Him will always be incomplete.
4. How Revelation Shapes Our Defense
When we build apologetics on God’s revelation, we:
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Start with God as the source – We reason from His truth, not toward it.
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Avoid compromising truth – We don’t bend Scripture to fit cultural preferences.
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Engage both heart and mind – Revelation addresses not just intellect but the will and affections.
Paul modeled this in Acts 17—beginning with creation, moving to God’s sovereignty, and then calling people to repentance in light of the resurrection.
Pull Quote:
“God’s revelation is not an optional tool for apologetics—it is the foundation upon which every defense of the gospel must stand.”
Summary
God has revealed Himself through both the world He made and the Word He inspired. General revelation makes His existence clear; special revelation makes His character and plan known. For the Christian apologist, this revelation is not just helpful—it is the very ground of truth.
Key Points:
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General revelation shows God’s existence and attributes to all people.
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Special revelation reveals God’s redemptive plan through Scripture.
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Every defense of the faith must be rooted in God’s revelation.
Engaging Question:
When you share your faith, do you start with human reasoning or with God’s revelation as your foundation—and how might that change your conversations?
