The Divine Library (4)

In this chapter we will focus our attention on what theologians call God's "Book of Nature," or what he has written in what is called "natural" or "general revelation," which refers to the idea that God reveals his existence as God and Creator, and his omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence, to all through the natural world, the human conscience, and the inner witness of the Spirit of God. The metaphor of a "Book of Nature" is used to emphasize the parallel between nature or (creation) and a “written document.” God has messages written in what he has created.

In "What Is the Book of Nature?" Hank Hanegraaff at CRI's web page writes (See here; emphasis mine):

"When I refer to the book of nature, people invariably wonder where they might get a copy. Thus, the question: What in the world is the book of nature? First, the book of nature is a reference to general revelation. Special revelation reveals what God did to reconcile the world to himself (the Bible). General revelation reveals what God has shown in creation (the book of nature)."

Louis Berkhof in his Systematic Theology wrote the following on "General Revelation" (Chapter II: Revelation):

"The general revelation of God is prior to His special revelation in point of time. It does not come to man in the form of verbal communications, but in the facts, the forces, and the laws of nature, in the constitution and operation of the human mind, and in the facts of experience and history. The Bible refers to it in such passages as Ps. 19:1, 2; Rom. 1:19, 20; 2:14, 15...general revelation of God also forms the background for His special revelation."

All this is true, but I would add that God's special, particular written revelation in the Bible (from the Greek word biblos meaning the books plural) is the key that unlocks the hidden symbolism inherent in the things God has created, or in general revelation.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) viewed the physical universe as a "great big book" designed by God, providing crucial, observable evidence of the Creator, distinct from, yet complementary to Scripture. One writer gave this scholarly narrative of Augustine's thoughts on this matter in his abstract of his thesis paper (emphasis mine):

"Augustine is considered a leading figure in the history of the book of nature. But what exactly did he say about it? This article examines all the metaphors with which Augustine refers, or seems to refer, to the visible world as a divine book. It is found that four of the often-cited passages have a different meaning, but two of them refer to the material creation as a book. The article further explores how the idea of God’s two books— nature and Scripture—influences Augustine’s literal interpretation of Genesis and his trinitarian theology." (OSKARI JUURIKKALA; See here; emphasis mine)

I agree with this premise of Augustine. Every created thing is a parable, symbol, or pattern of heavenly things. Or, we might say that every visible thing mirrors some likeness of things invisible. But, more on that shortly.

Book of Nature (or Creation)

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Rom. 1: 18-20 nkjv)

This is one of the leading texts that uphold the idea of a book of general revelation. It says that certain things about God can be discovered in God's creation. The cosmos speaks to us, has messages written in it that were written by God. It reveals the existence of a Creator, and a Creator who must be omnipotent and omniscient to have made it. Other things "that may be known of God" are also revealed in nature. Notice what the inspired Psalmist wrote along this line:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race." (Psa. 19: 1-5 nkjv)

These words tell us that the created world "declares," "shows," "utters," "reveals," has a "voice," and gives us all "words" or messages or information about the Creator. What a magnificent book is this! However, it would be easily misinterpreted without the Bible, without God's special revelation, seeing it is the key that unlocks the esoteric or hidden meanings behind all created things. However, as great as it is, it is by itself insufficient to give men that knowledge of Christ and the way of salvation that is necessary for salvation. The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith says the following in chapter twenty under the title "Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof":

"This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance. ( Romans 1:17; Romans 10:14,15,17; Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2,3)"

However, the Christian has both books! They also ought to enjoy reading and studying each book. Notice also this Psalm:

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor." (Psa. 8: 3-5 nkjv)

To "consider" the heavens and "the work" of God's fingers is to read what is written in the book of creation. You can learn about a maker, author, or creators who create works of art, by studying their productions.

Another text that upholds our thesis about the book of nature and creation, or general revelation, is the following from the oldest book in the Bible.

"7 But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. 9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? 11 Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food?" (Job 12: 7-11 nkjv)

There are things to be learned by observing the animal world, including things about God. So Jesus said: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them." (Matt. 6: 26 nkjv)

Parables in Nature

The physical world is a symbolic language reflecting spiritual truths. Every created thing is a parable, symbol, or pattern of the heavenly. When God created the tree, did he do it with the intention that it be a figure of something spiritual or heavenly, especially since trees are often used in scripture to symbolize spiritual things? Or we may ask the same thing of seeds, winds, water, etc., all of which contain mystical or esoteric meanings. Jesus revealed many of these parables, though millions more are still unpacked. 

Some examples of parables in nature and creation have already been mentioned. The Psalmist said that the circuit of the Sun was a picture of a strong runner in a race or like a bridegroom, and Christ is both, and many Bible teachers have said that about that Psalm. So the Psalmist said: "for the LORD God is a sun." (Psa. 84: 11) In a prophecy of Christ, the Son of God, Malachi says that "the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings." (Mal. 4: 2) When God made the sun, did he make it with the intention that it be a symbol of himself? I believe so.

There are more parables linking physical and earthly things, things visible, with things invisible, that Jesus could have given to us along with their explanation. Many times he would say "the kingdom of heaven (or God) is likened to a..." The thing that is like the kingdom, an invisible thing, is a visible created thing. Would it make a difference to say "the tree is like the kingdom of God" or "the kingdom of God is like the tree"? In God's mind, he made a tree in order that it might be a symbol of something spiritual in addition to intending it for other reasons. 

Proofs Of This Thesis

1. God created Adam, a human being, to mirror his Creator

2. God created the rainbow to bear witness to him and his word

3. God created the Tabernacle to picture the heavenly realm

4. God created the Sun in order to be an image of himself

5. God created light and darkness to be figures of good and evil

6. God created marriage to symbolize the union between Christ and the church

7. Etc.

Adam and Eve are creations of God. But, they are images or likenesses to their Creator. (Gen. 1: 27) As images of God they reveal things about God. The human soul or spirit especially is a way to read about God, being part of the book of creation. Though man's physical body is not the main way that man is an image or likeness of God, yet it does in some ways testify of God. Man is the only animal to walk uprightly, or in an erect posture, and surely this gives him a dignity much higher than the animals and resembles the dignity of the Creator. Adam or mankind was also given dominion over the earth, animal and vegetable kingdoms, and in this he likewise resembles his Maker. 

The rainbow is a creation of God and was created with the intention that it give knowledge of God. (Gen. 9: 13-17) In the Book of Revelation we see a rainbow round about the throne of God in heaven (Rev. 4: 3) and a "rainbow around the head" of a mighty angel (Christ the angel of the Lord) who is "clothed with a cloud" and a "face like the sun" and "feet as pillars of fire." (Rev. 10: 1). 

The Tabernacle or Temple of Yahweh was a creation of God, being the architect. The writer of the Book of Hebrews speaks of it and the things connected with it as being "pattern of things in the heavens" (Heb. 9: 23 kjv). He also wrote:

"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." (Heb. 8: 5 kjv)

The physical Tabernacle was a pattern or copy of the heavenly temple. This is clear from the Book of Revelation. (See Rev. 11: 19; 15: 5) In studying the symbolism of the earthly physical temple one can obtain knowledge of the heavenly temple and heavenly wisdom. Many people, as I, believe that the Pyramid of Giza was designed and built under God's inspiration and contains information about the cosmos in mathematical or geometric language, as well as in astronomical language. 

I have already spoken of how the sun is an image of God and is part of the book of creation wherein is written religious knowledge. Who can doubt that when God made the light and the darkness (See Isa. 45: 7) that he made it to be emblems for conveying information? 

We could also speak of events that God has engineered and how they too are a part of the book of nature and of institutions, such as marriage, that are also part of his book of creation. About the symbolism of marriage and what it teaches Paul wrote:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." (Eph. 5: 25, 28-32 nkjv)

The marriage institution as God originally created it was a mystery that had within it information about spiritual things, about Christ and salvation. So too do many other created things and institutions. Think about the various employments or careers among the human family. Do they not all also serve as pictures of who God is and what he does? Is God not a governor, king, or ruler? Is he not a manager? Is he not a lender, architect, builder, manufacturer, maker, producer, worker, artist, author, gardener, security guard, etc? We might even say that he is a garbage collector, for he has, and will yet, "take out the trash" and burn the weeds in the day of judgment. In fact, I don't know of any occupation among men that does not apply to God in a greater way.

Well, dear reader, I could expand on these thoughts so that many posts would be needed. But, hopefully you get the basic idea and can enlarge upon it in your own meditations and studies. Read God's word in the holy scriptures and let them help you discern what is written in the book of creation. I could mention what God has written within the heart of man or in his conscience as a part of his book of creation, but I will save that for another chapter, for in many ways it may be viewed as a separate book.