What is General Revelation?

Have you heard of the concept of general revelation? And what would this concept have to do with photography?

The idea of general revelation comes from Scripture. One of the most quoted scriptures that reveals this theology is Psalm 19:1–4. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (ESV)”

The theology of general revelation says that God’s general truth is revealed to all people. People don’t need words in a form of scripture to see that God exists. God generally reveals Himself to everyone through the things He has created.

General revelation says that creation (as well as culture and the acts of human conscience) reveals God to us and that God reveals Himself to us through these things. In other words, everyone can see that God exists, whether they choose to open their hearts to this truth or not.

General Revelation and the Photographer

So then what does this have to do with photography? A Lot! Nature photography exists because of general revelation.

What do I mean by that? Well, the very reason we photograph nature is because there’s something about it that captures our attention, and we want to connect with it. Nature strikes a chord in the human heart because it points to God.

Many times, my family and I have ventured out to the Colorado mountains in late September/early October to catch the fall elk rut. We would drive off to Rocky Mountain National Park and pitch a tent with the purpose of enjoying the autumn weather, taking in the fall colors, and watching and photographing the elk herds during their rutting season.

Photographing the elk was quite an experience. Big bull elk with impressive sets of antlers would gather up large herds of cow elk to mate. Each cow only comes into full heat for just a few hours, so the bulls want to keep them close. They would often battle each other to maintain control of their harems. As the bulls focused on each other, wayward cows would wander off and join another harem behind the backs of the battling bulls. These antics were always quite fun to watch. People would line the roadsides of the park to enjoy the show.

As I took pictures of these animals, I desired to capture their power, their mystique and everything else that amazed me about them. So much about the elk points to an intelligent Designer and a magnificent Creator. When I saw the majesty of their making, it spoke to my heart about God, and I felt compelled to photograph them.

Photographing a World that Points To God

When photographers see the splendor of nature, we want to photograph it. That splendor captures our hearts and points us to God. That is why we’re so drawn to it and amazed by it. The wonders of nature resonate in our hearts because it speak to our hearts about God. This is true whether we are a Christian photographer and recognize that reality or a non-Christian photographer that chooses not to recognize that reality.

Christians and non-Christians alike see God’s hand in nature. This is why it is called general revelation, because it’s generally available to all people.

When we photograph the marvels of nature, we capture general revelation in a photo. Each of our photographs of nature says something about God. It’s something that everybody can see. Just like your photograph did not happen by chance, the contents and the subject matter of your photograph did not happen by chance. Just like you had to take your picture, somebody had to create the nature in your picture.

As you photograph nature, remember that you’re not just photographing some gorgeous landscape, beautiful flower, or some fascinating wildlife, you’re photographing something that points to God.

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