Progressive Revelation is a theological term, which by the way, is not connected to the American cultural idea of an increasingly left-leaning society. Instead, it refers to its original meaning: “happening or developing in stages.”
Biblically speaking, progressive revelation is the idea that as the biblical story unfolds through pages of Scripture, we see more of God’s plan take shape and, with it, more of His nature come into focus.
Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…”
The writer of Hebrews here is reminding us that God’s revealing of Himself to the world did not happen all at once, but that it happened “at many times and in many ways…”
The second verse says this, “…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:2)
Again, the idea is that God has continued to speak, revealing more of his plan throughout history until the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Knowing this, we must remember that we live in a privileged moment when God’s Word is fulfilled and the canon is closed, meaning the Bible is complete. There is no more revelation to be had as we now await the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
While we now can read the Bible as a whole, we cannot forget that people throughout history waited lifetimes, generations, and even hundreds of years for God to reveal more of His plan, to hear more of His Word, and to see more of who He is.
In all of this, it’s important to note that what we are discussing here is progressive revelation, not evolving revelation.
The story of God’s plan and the details of His nature become clearer through Scripture’s historical unfolding of the one plan and purpose that God has had since the very beginning.
This does not mean that God’s plan, purpose, or character changes, as the word “evolution” might imply. Progressive revelation simply means that, as the Bible unfolds, we see more of God and His plan come into detail—not that God changes His nature or intentions.
Who God was in the beginning is who God is now.
What was God’s plan from the start is God’s plan now.
That which was sinful in God’s eyes then is sinful in God’s eyes now.
If it was God’s Word then, it is God’s Word now.
Now, this doesn’t mean we never see growth in Scripture, but the growth we observe reflects the Gospel going forth and God’s plan unfolding, not a shift in His nature or moral standards.
What progressive revelation reminds us of is that God reveals more of Himself through the ages and stages of human history, not that God evolves.
So, may this encourage you to read the story of God’s plan as it unfolds through the pages of Scripture, and as we do let us be reminded of what Hebrews 13:8 tells us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
