Before the Bible, how did people know about God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

God made Himself known to people before the Bible was completed (around 400 BC for the Old Testament and by AD 100 for the New Testament) through various means, including creation and direct communication. According to Romans 1:19–20, God's invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived in creation, leaving people without excuse to respond to Him. This indicates that everyone, through observing the natural world, can recognize God's existence and divine nature. Additionally, God communicated directly through visions, dreams, and angels, as seen in Genesis 20:3–7, 31:11–13, Exodus 3:2–6, Judges 6:11–24, and Numbers 22:21–35. These methods demonstrate God’s desire to make Himself known to humanity, even before the formal revelation of the Bible.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God’s first act of creation reveals a way God has revealed Himself before the Bible (Genesis 1:1). Psalm 19:1 confirms this: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
• God has also communicated revelation about Himself through other means than the Bible at times. For example, God has used visions and dreams as ways to communicate to people. These were especially prevalent in Genesis (Genesis 20:3–7; 31:11–13).
• Prophets often communicated through spoken words to people, including Jonah, who spoke to the non-Jewish people of Nineveh to save an entire city (Jonah 3:4–10).
• Angels are often depicted as ministering spirits, delivering God's messages to individuals or groups. For instance, an angel appeared to Hagar in the wilderness to comfort and guide her (Genesis 16:7–12), and an angel delivered messages to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–6). Angels also spoke to Gideon to commission him as a leader of Israel (Judges 6:11–24) and to Balaam to prevent him from cursing Israel (Numbers 22:21–35).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Romans 1:19 offers one way people had evidence about a Creator God prior to the Bible: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them." One example of this is the human conscience, which includes a universal sense of right and wrong among all people. Not every person agrees on what is right and wrong, but every person is designed with a sense of morality. This sense of morality points toward a maker of morality—God.
• Romans 1:20 offers another insight into how people would have understood God prior to the writing of the Bible's books. It notes, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." The creation around us offers ample evidence of a Creator (see also Psalm 19:1–4). For example, the complexity of the universe points toward a Designer. From the exquisite design of a flower to the human body, each detail points toward an ultimate Designer who designed with purpose, care, and wisdom.
• God communicated directly through Jesus coming to earth to live among us (John 1:1–14) and offering eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God has made Himself known through His Word, offering clear guidance and revelation of His character, commands, and promises. The Bible clearly reveals who God is and His plans for humanity. At the same time, God reveals Himself in other ways, such as through creation and in the way He made humanity, inviting everyone to recognize and acknowledge His existence and involvement in and throughout human history (Romans 1:19–20). Everyone, through both Scripture and the natural world, has the opportunity to respond to God. Of course, Scripture is what reveals the gospel, but even an unbeliever can see God through the beauty and majesty of creation. Everyone can recognize that they are not perfect and recognize that the world is not as it should be. Everyone is given the opportunity to see God and respond to Him.

God’s Word especially allows us to know Him and understand His plan of salvation. God’s Word illuminates our understanding of His nature, His desires for us, and His plan of redemption. God’s Word helps us to know God more intimately and gain wisdom for living a life that honors Him. This pursuit of knowledge transforms our hearts and allows us to align our thoughts, desires, inclinations, and actions to His character by the power of His Spirit. God’s perspective helps us navigate the complexities of life with His heart and mind. By knowing God’s Word, we are also equipped to discern truth from falsehood. God wants to be known, and knowing Him helps us stay on guard against the things that keep us from Him. The Bible is foundational for spiritual growth and a safeguard against deception, enabling us to know God, love God, and live in a way that reflects Him to the world.

UNDERSTAND

• God can reveal Himself by any means but explicitly reveals Himself through His Word.
• Before the Bible was completed, God revealed Himself through both natural and supernatural means.
• God still makes Himself known through various means and calls people to respond to Him.

REFLECT

• How does observing the natural world help you recognize God’s existence and attributes in your daily life?
• How do you respond to God making Himself known to you by natural and supernatural means?
• How can understanding God’s desire to make Himself known shape your relationship with Him?

ENGAGE

• How does Romans 1:19–20 challenge our understanding of human accountability to God?
• How can we help others see God’s hand in creation and history, even if they do not yet believe in the Bible?
• How can we encourage a deeper study of Scripture without ignoring God’s revelations through natural and supernatural means?