What is the difference between general and special revelation?
General revelation is what God reveals about himself to all people through creation and conscience. Special revelation is what God reveals through Scripture and the incarnate Son. General points toward God; special tells us his name.
Psalm 19 captures both: "The heavens declare the glory of God" (general); "the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul" (special).
General revelation grounds natural law, conscience, and the universal sense of "ought." It is enough to render the world without excuse but not enough to save.
Special revelation gives us the gospel — who God is, what he has done in Christ, how to come to him. Without it, general revelation can only point to a God we cannot reach.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.