Revelation in the Revelation in the Christian TraditionChristian Tradition

Higher RMPS

Belief and Science

Learning Intentions...

• I can describe the nature and importance of revelation in the Christian tradition.

•I am developing an understanding of the concept of ‘general’ and ‘special’ revelation.

The Importance The Importance of Revelationof Revelation

RevelationRevelation• Christians believe that God has revealed

his presence throughout the ages and continues to do so.

• A Christian has faith that revelation is true.

• Christians believe that their God YHWH (Yahweh) reveals his nature to us through what he does. YHWH means “I AM”, or – “I will show you who I am by what I do”.

RevelationRevelation• Christians believe that

throughout the period they know as the Old Testament, God revealed himself through Kings (should we be sceptical of this?) and prophets.

• The final and ultimate revelation was in the form of Jesus.

RevelationRevelation• Remember: Christians

believe Jesus was the incarnation of God – literally meaning God made flesh. Christians believe that by this God was revealing himself to humans.

RevelationRevelation• Christians believe that

revelation is when God tells us what he wants us to do.

• Revelation contains the truth – as it comes from God. The message is perfect with no flaws, or infallible.

RevelationRevelation• Revelation stems from

the Latin word revelare, which means ‘to remove the veil’. Christians believe that it reveals what is hidden or partially hidden.

• Revelation is important to Christians because it reveals the purpose of our creation and why we are really here.

Check your learningCheck your learning

What is the importance of revelation to Christians?

4 KU(4 min)

What is the importance of revelation What is the importance of revelation to Christians? 4KU 4minto Christians? 4KU 4min

Marking instructions:Where candidates list points, a sentence of explanation is required to gain a mark.

What is the importance of What is the importance of revelation to Christians?revelation to Christians?

4 KU• “Revelation reveals God’s nature to us.”• It is infallible (perfect).• Gives us God's will for creation.• God's way of communicating with us.• God reveals what is hidden or partially

hidden.• Contains the truth.• Reveals the purpose of creation.

The Nature of The Nature of RevelationRevelation

Revelation in summaryRevelation in summary

• General and Special Revelation– Through Scripture– Through the Traditions of the

Church– Through Religious Experience– Through Order and Design

General and Special General and Special RevelationRevelation

General Revelation

Revelatio Realis

The works of God(nature, observation

of the world, available to anybody)

Special Revelation

Revelatio Verbalis

The word of God(given directly to one

person eg. Moses and the burning

bush, prophets etc)

Very important !! Copy into your jotters!

General Revelation Revelation• God reveals character to all Christians. Addressed

to human reason.

• Seen through his acts of creation.

• ‘Order and complexity’ suggests creator and designer (Cosmological and Teleological argument).

• Examples throughout human history e.g. Exodus

• Awareness or feeling of God.

SpecialSpecial Revelation Revelation• Revelation is more direct or personal.

Understood through faith.

• Dreams, visions, appearances and miracles e.g. 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai; Exodus story - Moses and the burning bush/parting of the red sea.

• Rooted in God’s plan to redeem us and addressed to man as a sinner (due to The Fall).

(The most) SpecialSpecial Revelation Revelation (to Christians)

• Becoming human in the form of Jesus.

• ‘A glimpse of God.’

Real-time test

1. General

2. Special

a) Moses’ burning bushb) 10 Commandments in

the Biblec) The works of Godd) Moses receiving the 10

Commandmentse) Act of creationf) A dream or vision of

Jesusg) The Bible

Answer in pairs

Real-time test

1. General

2. Special

a) Moses’ burning bushb) 10 Commandments in

the Biblec) The works of Godd) Moses receiving the 10

Commandmentse) Act of creationf) A dream or vision of

Jesusg) The Bible

Check your learningCheck your learning

Describe two types of revelation.

4 KU

(4 min)

Describe two types of revelation.Describe two types of revelation.

4 KU

Marking instructions:Candidates may obtain a maximum of 2 marks

for each description. No marks should be awarded if the candidate simply writes

“general” and “special”.

Describe two types of Describe two types of revelation.revelation.

4 KUGeneral …Revelatio Realis

– The works of God– To people in general– Rooted in creation and addressed to human reason– E.g. order and complexity in nature

Special … Revelatio Verbalis– The word of God– A particular communication to a particular individual – E.g. of dream, vision, miracle... Moses - burning bush– Rooted in God’s plan to redeem us and addressed to man

as a sinner and can be – Understood through faith

Think about it…Think about it…

What would you do if you thought that God had spoken to you in a dream?

Would it depend on whether he had asked you to do something?

Revelation in summaryRevelation in summary

• General and Special Revelation• Through Scripture• Through the Traditions of the

Church• Through Religious Experience• Through Order and Design

I Can....... describe the nature and importance of revelation in the Christian tradition.

I am....... developing an understanding of the concept of ‘general’ and ‘special’ revelation.

The following images are interesting

examples of revelation...

Example of Special Revelation: MosesExample of Special Revelation: Moses

• Moses had a vision of a burning bush and a voice that told him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrew slaves.

CHICAGO -- A marking on a Kennedy CHICAGO -- A marking on a Kennedy Expressway underpass is creating a stir in Expressway underpass is creating a stir in

ChicagoChicago..

Tears Tears appear to appear to

show up on show up on Madonna Madonna

statue when statue when picture was picture was developeddeveloped

Revelation through Religious ExperienceRevelation through Religious Experience

• Alternative to scripture and tradition - direct experience of God communicating with you.

• Many forms of religious experience:– ‘one-ness’, realisation, ‘becoming one’ with the

Universe.– reaction to an event and interpretation of the

meaning e.g. surviving illness or lightbulb story

Revelation through Religious Revelation through Religious ExperienceExperience

• Often dramatic / traumatic. May happen during worship or high stress situation.

Outline of Higher RMPS schedule for Science and BeliefAugust-December 2013. TJ

1 Sources of human understanding

Christian revelation.Scientific enquiry.Christianity, science and the origins of human life.

2 What is the origin of the universe?Christianity and the origins of the universe: a creator God.

Science and the origins of the universe: the Big Bang Theory.

3 Is there compatibility between Christian belief and scientific theory?

4 Christianity and science: the origins of human lifeChristian approaches to the origins of human life.Science and the theory of evolution.Christian responses to the theory of evolution.

Homework for Monday 19th August

1.What does the Latin word revelare mean?

2. Describe ‘general’ revelation.

3. Describe ‘special’ revelation.

4. What is the literal meaning of ‘incarnation’?

5.