Christian Revelation

Learning Intentions In these lessons you will: Explore the meaning and implications of Christian Revelation Weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of revelation and consider if it is a reliable source of knowledge and understanding.

Starter Questions Where do people find out about God? Where is this information said to come from? Do you think these sources are reliable? Why?

Revelation in Christianity One of the important features of Christianity is that it is a faith. Acceptance of Christianity is based upon belief and is a matter of free choice. Christians believe that God has revealed his presence throughout the ages and continues to do so. The way God has revealed himself to humanity is , according to Christians, varied, but done in a way which makes sure you’re not forced to believe in Him.

What is Revelation? Revealing or disclosing some form of truth or knowledge through communication with the divine. Revelation Revelation is the term used to describe how religious people come to a deeper understanding of God through personal experience: Through seeing, recognising and experiencing God in the world Through sacred writings such as the Bible for Christians. People may describe a sense of the numinous – of being in the presence of an awesome power. Such experiences are described as mystical or transcendent because they are outside of normal, everyday experience. These experiences are often a result of prayer, meditation and reflection.

General and Special Revelation God reveals himself to creation in many ways. These are grouped under the headings General and Special revelation.

Revelation General Revelation Special Revelation General revelation refers to experiences which are available to everyone: Acts of nature, conscience and morality Religious scripture The work of religious leaders Special revelation describes experiences of God revealing himself directly to an individual or to a select group: Worship Visions, Dreams and Prophecies Miracles of healing

Revelation Theists believe that God is totally different from humans but that he makes himself known in 2 ways: General Revelation Special Revelation General revelation refers to ways that anyone can experience God. Special revelation refers to unique, individual experiences. REVELATION CAN BE GENERAL (EVERYONE) OR SPECIAL (PERSONAL VISIT)

General and Special Revelation Quick Questions What is meant by revelation? Give 2 examples of General and Special Revelation. Do you think either of these forms of revelation is more reliable than the other? Why? Which do you think would be the most persuasive?

General Revelation The sorts of things that can be considered as general revelation are: Acts of creation – nature - the order, purpose and complexity in our world and universe all point to God. Through His actions – delivering human from suffering or acting in other ways to show who He is. Awareness that God is around – a feeling that we may have or God is our conscience.

The complexity of human life and the creation of new life is evidence that He is IMMANENT – in the HERE AND NOW

The heavens declare the glory of God: The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 For since the beginning of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 The first Bible source makes it quite clear – look around you, what you see points to God. Paul’s letter to the Romans supports this idea and suggests that it would be hard to deny God’s existence having looked around you at creation.

Special Revelation

Special Revelation A special revelation occurs when God is believed to have spoken directly to an individual or group of people. It is not a general everyday experience. It is ‘specially’ for the person or group.

Special Revelation The sorts of things that can be considered as special revelation are: Specific miracles – feeding the five thousand and parting the Red Sea. Visions – Saul on the road to Damascus. Dreams – Joseph learned of God’s purposes through a series of dreams. ‘Appearances’ – burning bush, delivery of The Commandments. Speaking directly – God spoke to Samuel. Becoming human – Jesus taught us how to live a human life and gave a glimpse at the true Nature of God.

Questions Describe General revelation, with examples, in your own words. Describe Special revelation, with examples, in your own words. What do you think are the strengths of revelation as a means of finding out what the world is like? What are the limitations of revelation as a means of finding out what the world is like? How does revelation differ from the scientific method?

Strengths and Limitations of General and Special Revelation God chooses to reveal His nature and existence to the things he has created. He does not need to but chooses to. This suggests that we are important to Him and there is reason for His revelation. All of the ways in which God has ‘revealed’ Himself to us are ambiguous – they are open to debate, argument and disagreement. They could be interpreted in different ways, and because they are so debatable they’re not very reliable. He has revealed himself throughout history and continues to do so in many different ways, such as through scripture, visions, religious experience, miracles, the traditions of the church and the order and design found in nature. Humans find things out through investigating, testing and using evidence. The ‘evidence’ for God which comes from the kinds of revelation examined so far is not very strong. If God wanted to reveal Himself to humans, why not just do it in a more obvious way which would not be open to debate. Christians believe that the person of Jesus – God made flesh – is the ultimate revelation of who God is and how He wants humans to live. It is not clear how far the ‘Jesus story’ is ‘as it happened’ or ‘as it was later edited by the Church’.

Christian Revelation Summary Religious experience is believed to be direct experience of God. It can come in many different forms. The experience reveals the nature of God. Religious experiences are very personal and unique. So they may be unique revelations about God – valuable for everyone. Or they might be meaningful only for the person who has them. God may reveal himself through order in nature. The structure and design of the Universe might point to the character of God. Understanding God’s revelation is central to the life of a Christian. It helps give meaning to all aspects of life.