(This is the first of a four part series on biblical themes in nature. Click for part two: Creation and the Greatness of God; part three: Nature and The Sinfulness of Humankind; part four: God’s Redemptive Grace Revealed in Nature. God revealing Himself to us through nature is known as general revelation.)
A Sunrise and Biblical Themes
Each Sunrise in nature points to the greatness of God. Other things in creation show God’s greatness, but does nature also display the biblical themes of human sin and God’s redemptive grace?
When I lived in Florida my parents often played “snowbird”. Each year, near the end of winter, they headed to the Sunshine State. They stayed on the Atlantic coast quite often. Eager to spend some time with Mom and Dad and enjoy a free stay at the beach, I took time off work to visit with them.
On most mornings, I rose early and headed to the beach at dawn to take pictures. The vast ocean and glorious sunrises spoke to my heart about the greatness of God. When we look at nature with an open heart, it gently shouts to us about the Lord’s greatness
Three Major Biblical Themes
What does nature reveal about the far reaching affects of human sin and depravity?
The Bible also tells us of the greatness of God. When we examine the continuity of the Scripture, we see that the greatness of God stands out as one of it’s major themes. The sinfulness of man and God’s redemptive grace also appear as two other major themes in the Bible.
Nature not only reveals God’s greatness, but it also reveals aspects of the sinfulness of man and of God’s redemptive grace. Many Bible verses such as Psalm 19:1-7 and Romans 1:20 tell us that nature acts as a revelation of God. Romans 1:20 says, “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.”
Revealed in Nature
Does the new life in spring tell us anything about God’s redemption?
So how does nature reveal these three biblical themes? Anyone with an open mind can see this greatness in nature. This is especially true for faithful Christians who enjoy spending time outside. But what about the other two themes? Does nature really tell us something about the sinfulness of humankind? Does it tell us anything about God’s redemption?
God takes pleasure in His creation and so should we. When we begin to spend time in the outdoors enriching ourselves with God’s goodness, we begin to realize what nature tells us about God. Over the next few weeks I will make three additional posts exploring these biblical themes revealed in nature.