Signs of Revelation - Part 1: What Makes a Revelation Supernatural?

 Having established through natural reason that God exists, we now turn to a fundamental question: Has this God spoken to mankind? The transition from natural knowledge of God to supernatural revelation represents one of the most significant steps in apologetics. But before we can examine the signs that point to authentic divine revelation, we must first understand what makes a revelation truly "supernatural."

The Distinction Between Natural and Supernatural Knowledge of God

St. Thomas Aquinas makes a crucial distinction between what we can know about God through natural reason and what can only be known through divine revelation. Through our natural faculties—reason, observation of creation, and philosophical inquiry—we can arrive at certain truths about God's existence, His eternal nature, and some of His attributes. As St. Paul writes, "For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; his eternal power also, and divinity" (Romans 1:20).

However, natural reason has its limits. While we can know that God exists, we cannot through reason alone know God's inner life, His specific plans for humanity, or the intimate details of how He wishes to be worshipped. These truths about God's essence and His will for mankind constitute what theologians call the "supernatural order"—truths that exceed the natural capacity of human reason to discover independently.

Why Would God Need to Reveal Himself?

The question naturally arises: If we can know God exists through reason, why would He need to reveal Himself further? St. Thomas provides several compelling reasons why supernatural revelation is not only possible but fitting:

1. The Limitations of Human Reason

While human reason can reach certain truths about God, it does so with great difficulty, after much time, and often mixed with error. Aquinas notes that "only a few men would possess the knowledge of God, and even these only after a long time and with the admixture of many errors" (Summa Contra Gentiles I, 4). For the salvation of all mankind—not just philosophers—God's direct revelation provides certainty about truths necessary for human salvation.

2. Truths Beyond Natural Reason

There are truths about God that exceed the natural capacity of human reason entirely. The Trinity, the Incarnation, and God's specific plan of salvation are examples of truths that, while not contrary to reason, surpass what reason alone could discover. These truths are necessary for mankind's ultimate end—union with God—yet they lie beyond the reach of natural investigation.

3. The Urgency of Salvation

Given that man's ultimate purpose is union with God, and that this purpose must be pursued in this life, it would be unreasonable for God to leave mankind to slowly and uncertainly discover necessary truths through reason alone. Divine revelation provides immediate access to truths necessary for salvation.

The Reasonableness of Supernatural Revelation

Far from being opposed to reason, supernatural revelation is itself supremely reasonable. It is fitting that:

The Creator would communicate with His creation: Just as human authors communicate the meaning of their works, it is reasonable that God would communicate His intentions for creation to rational beings capable of understanding them.

Perfect goodness would share itself: Since God is perfectly good, and goodness naturally tends to communicate itself, it is fitting that God would share knowledge of Himself with His creatures.

Love seeks union: If God created rational beings out of love and for the purpose of union with Himself, it is reasonable that He would provide the knowledge necessary to achieve this union.

Characteristics of Supernatural Revelation

True supernatural revelation possesses certain characteristics that distinguish it from merely natural religious insights:

1. Divine Origin

Supernatural revelation originates from God Himself, not from human speculation or natural religious sentiment. It comes "from above" rather than arising from human religious consciousness.

2. Content Beyond Natural Reason

The content of supernatural revelation includes truths that, while not contradictory to reason, exceed what human reason could discover independently. These truths often reveal aspects of God's inner life and specific divine plans.

3. Certainty and Authority

Unlike philosophical conclusions that remain subject to doubt and revision, supernatural revelation carries divine authority and provides certainty about the truths it contains.

4. Universal Significance

Supernatural revelation is intended not merely for a philosophical elite but for all mankind, providing truths necessary for everyone's ultimate destiny.

The Question of Authentication

This leads us to the critical question: How can we distinguish authentic supernatural revelation from false claims to divine communication? History is filled with individuals and movements claiming direct revelation from God. What criteria can we use to authenticate genuine divine revelation?

However, this question of authentication is more complex than it might initially appear. For we must confront a sobering reality: if supernatural beings exist and can communicate with mankind, then the possibility exists that not all such communications originate from God. The same rational faculties that lead us to acknowledge God's existence also compel us to recognize the existence of other spiritual beings—some of whom may not share God's perfect goodness.

This question of authentication—the "signs of revelation"—will occupy our attention in the subsequent parts of this series. But before we can establish positive criteria for authentic divine revelation, we must first grapple with a fundamental problem that has plagued religious discernment throughout history: the possibility of counterfeit revelation.

The God who created us with rational minds and hearts oriented toward truth would not leave us without the knowledge necessary for our highest end. Having established His existence through natural reason, we can now reasonably expect that He has provided additional light to guide us to Himself. Yet we must also acknowledge that other spiritual powers may seek to exploit our natural religious inclinations for purposes contrary to our true good.

The question is not merely whether God could reveal Himself, but whether He has done so—and if so, how we can distinguish His authentic voice from counterfeits that may bear superficial resemblance to genuine divine communication.

In our next installment, we will examine this fundamental problem of counterfeit revelation and why the possibility of spiritual deception must be taken seriously by any rational inquirer into supernatural claims.

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Continue to Signs of Revelation - Part 2: The Problem of Counterfeit Revelation