One of the things Baptists believe is progressive revelation. But what does it mean?

Foundationally, it refers to how God chose to reveal His Word to us over a period of time until the canon of Scripture was complete.

Michael Bryant, dean of the School of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University, offers a concise statement on the subject: “Progressive revelation refers to the fact that later Scripture (New Testament) provides a greater or fuller understanding of God’s truth than previously revealed Scripture (Old Testament). Later revelation complements and supplements earlier revelation, but does not contradict it. Progressive revelation, then, does not refer to some type of evolutionary development or shift from untruth to truth. Any definition of progressive revelation that denigrated the Old Testament witness must be rejected.”

Walter Johnson, dean of the College of Christian Studies at North Greenville University, illustrates the idea of progressive revelation by relating it to the education of a child. “God educated mankind in giving his revelation much as we would educate a child,” he said. “The teacher makes the needed adjustments following the mental development of the pupil. The teacher teaches truth in a simplified way. The mathematical tables are taught before going on to algebra and calculus so the teacher will not have to correct what was taught previously, but will build on it.

“Probably the best example of progressive revelation is God’s plan of redemption. This was not revealed all at one time, but in stages. The sacrifices were given in order to teach the necessity of atonement for sin. The Passover was an object lesson showing God’s power of deliverance from the enemies of God’s people. Notice how the teachings of the earlier stages tended to be more visual. This prepared the way for the full teaching of the atonement in the New Testament.”

It is important to note that the revelation of Scripture is not continuing, but is completed. While it was being transmitted, it was in stages, but today we have the complete revelation from God. Both testaments are, according to our Baptist Faith and Message, “truth without any mixture of error.”

Geerdhardus Vos, distinguished theology professor at Princeton in the early 1900s, pointed out that the nature of progressive revelation “includes the absolute perfection of all stages — from seed form to the attainment of full growth.”

Walter Kaiser, former Old Testament professor at Wheaton and at Gordon Conwell, has provided a strong evangelical perspective on progressive revelation in an often critical or liberal field. His two books, “The Promise-Plan of God” and “Recovering the Unity of the Bible,” are both helpful in gaining a better understanding of the value of both Old and New testaments.

W.A. Criswell, in the first volume of his “Doctrines of The Bible,” wrote, “The Holy Scriptures are built like the gathering streams of a river; here, here, here, until finally the streams become a tremendous stream of water, a mighty river.”

British writer Herbert Lockyer identifies progressive revelation as “a gradual unfolding of the plan and purpose of God, a progress of revelation and doctrine.”

The Old Testament represents approximately 76 percent of the Bible. It is profitable for our instruction and spiritual development because it is the Word of God. An old adage states, “The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed, and the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.” While that is true, it is not the whole truth. The Old Testament is foundational to the New Testament and is important if we desire to develop a richer and fuller understanding of God’s Word as revealed in the New Testament.

The Baptist Faith and Message, under article 1, “The Scriptures,” says, “All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.”

To mature as a follower of Christ, we need to read and study the Bible — both testaments.