Unit 4- Revelation

Topic 2 Revelation

This topic looks at the idea of God’s self revelation to humanity. It explores the reasonableness of the evidence of revelation, and why revelation is questioned as a real experience.

• general revelation. Candidates will be expected to understand God’s revelation through scripture, nature and conscience; • special revelation. Candidates will be expected to understand God’s revelation through a direct meeting, vision or dream, including examples from scripture, worship and prayer;

• the power of any type of revelation, and its impact on those receiving the revelation;

• what is learnt of God – qualities of God such as supremacy, immanence, transcendence, personal nature, impersonal nature, omnipotence, omniscience and benevolence;

• the comparative strengths and weaknesses of general versus special revelation;

• the issue of reality or illusion in terms of any revelation;

• alternative explanations for claims of revelation;

• the question of whether accepting the reality of revelation leads  to problems for the believer, such as why believers have different ideas about God.

REVELATION

GENERAL REVELATION

People go looking for God e.g. prayer, avaliable for everyone

God making himself know through ordinary things e.g. Nature

• Nature- The beauty and power, the creation of new life leads to the feeling of awe and wonder at God's power
• Holy Books- God reveals his messages or inspires people through sacred writings for believers to achive a better understanding
• Life and work of people- Someones behaviour in their life and work is extraordinary and believe that God has guided them
• Reason, conscience, faith- We use our own intelliegence and believe that guilty feelings come from God inside us
• Prayer and Worship- Feeling the presence of God whilst praying or worshiping within a group e.g at church

STRENGHTHS OF GENERAL RELEVATION

• Its indirect so avliable to everyone
• It can be continuous and ongoing
• Everyone has access

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