Who is God?(Write this heading on your paper

and answer what you think.)

“God Almighty” Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck 1426

“What do these pictures suggest about God and

his characteristics?

“God the Father” by Andrea del Castagno, from 1442.

God the Father It was created by Artus Quellin II in 1682

The Creation of Man by Michelangelo, a fresco in the Sistine Chapel

How do you know what you know?How do you know “the answer” to

this question?

Revelation\Rev`e*la"tion\, n. 1. The act of revealing, disclosing, or discovering to others what was before unknown to them.

http://www.dictionary.net/revelation

(Write this word and definition in your notes)

General revelation-This is term can be defined as God’s communication of

himself to all mankind, to all persons, at all times, and in all places.

(Copy this definition.)

What do you think would be examples of general revelation?

History-nation of IsraelHuman nature-According to the Bible

man is said to be made in God’s image so he could reflect God through his moral and spiritual

qualities.(Write the three types of general revelation)

Other than the natural world what are other areas of general

revelation?(Discuss in class.)

What might a person learn about God from general

revelation?(Write your answer to this question.)

What does the Bible say about general revelation?

Psalm 191 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

“For since the creation 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

14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for

themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even

defending them.Romans 2:14-15

Why might general revelation be an inaccurate way to know God? (Discuss)

Is the world the way it was originally created?

Is “sinful” man capable of interpreting God truthfully?

Special Revelation-Can be defined as God’s manifestation of himself to particular persons at definite times and places, enabling those

persons to enter into a redemptive relationship with him.

(Write this definition.)

Many religions claim special revelation as a basis for their

beliefs.

Taking moderate food, Siddharth seated himself under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya and swore not to stir until he had attained the supreme enlightenment. On the night of the full moon, after overcoming the attacks and temptations of Mara, "the evil one," he reached enlightenment, becoming a Buddha at the age of 35.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press.

Buddhism

Discontented with life in Mecca, Mohammed retreated to a cave

in the surrounding mountains for meditation and reflection.

According to Islamic beliefs it was here, at age 40, in the

month of Ramadan, where he received his first revelation from

God. Three years after this event Muhammad started

preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that "God is One", that complete

"surrender" to Him (lit. islām) is the only way acceptable to God,

and that he himself was a prophet and messenger of God. Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008

Columbia University Press.

Islam

According to Joseph Smith’s account, in 1827 he unearthed

golden tablets inscribed with sacred writings that he

translated. Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and others

transcribed these records from his dictation, and the Book of

Mormon was published in 1830. Further revelations led

him to found a new religion after priesthood had been

conferred upon him and Cowdery by an "angel." As

prophet and seer he founded (1830) his church in Fayette,

N.Y. Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright

2008 Columbia University Press.

Mormonism

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God

called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

And Moses said, "Here I am."

5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your

sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy

ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the

God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."

At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look

at God. Exodus 3:4-6

The Old Testament

The Old Testament

“28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have

struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”29 Jacob

said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him

there.30 So Jacob called the place

Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” . Genesis

32:23-30

13 “ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for

our enemies?" 14 "Neither," he replied, "but as

commander of the army of the LORD have now come." Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and

asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

Joshua 5:13-14

The Old Testament

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness

has not understood[a] it. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came

from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:1-5, 14

The New Testament

The Bible claims to contain special revelation of God to

man . The following references suggests that God revealed and

inspired the authors of the Bible so man would have a trustworthy answer to the question, “Who is God?”.

(Write down the references after you read them.)

20 “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own

interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were

carried along by the Holy Spirit.”2 Peter 1:20-21

16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in

righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

160 “All your words are true;

       all your righteous laws are eternal.”

Psalm 119:160 

AssignmentSome people believe all religions lead

to God just by different paths. Do you agree or disagree? Why do you think it is possible or impossible? Relate this discussion to special revelation and various religion’s

claims to special revelation. (Answer in least 5 sentences on separate paper, using correct grammar and spelling. Be

prepared to discuss you answer.)

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