Religion, reason, revelation Flashcards
Form and nature revelation
Concept of revelation
Revelation describes how a believer reaches a deeper understanding of God in a personal way, through the world around them through sacred texts.
Form and nature revelation
Experiencing a conversion
Personal contact with God causes some people to change their behaviour or beliefs.
Form and nature revelation
An account of a conversion
St. Pauls conversion in the Bible.
Form and nature revelation
Communicating with God through…
Prayer
Prayer is a two-way communication - Christians speak with God and listen for a reply. A believer may feel a presence of God.
Form and nature revelation
Communicating with God through…
Meditation
Help christians to become closer to God.
A retreat may help them to feel the presence of God.
Form and nature revelation
The presence of God in worship
Pentecostalists
Groups that hold charismatic services enabling believers to experience God through the gift of the Holy Spirit - which could come up during worship.
Form and nature revelation
The presence of God in worship
The effect of Holy Spirit during charismatic services
Causing them to faint, speak in tongues (glossolalia), or the words of God (prophecy). Sometimes holy faith-healing services are held to attempt to cure people of illness.
Form and nature revelation
The presence of God in worship
Roman Catholic Masses
Have sacramental services that include the celebration of the Holy Communion .
Form and nature revelation
The presence of God in the world
Many Christians
Feel they can experience the presence of God when walking in the countryside, or looking at beauty in nature. The feelings of awe and wonder helping them to believe that God is present in the world of nature.
Form and nature revelation
Experiencing a miraculous event.
A Christian
Who has experienced a miraculous event (e.g a loved one bing cured from a terminal illness), may believe this to be the evidence of the presence of God.
Form and nature revelation
Experiencing a miraculous event.
Other people
Evidence of a miracle or a conversion might also affect other people causing them to experience God.
Form and nature revelation
God revealed through Christ
Christians
Believed God cared for humans and wanted them to have the opportunity to find a way back to God’s presence, he did this by sending Jesus into the world.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The New Testament
The first four books are the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Accounts of Jesus’ life.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The Old Testament
Same as the Jewish holy book. Describes Jewish/Christian beliefs about God.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The Bible
Christian’s view
Provides a new and deeper understanding of God.