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.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The Bible
Some Christians
It has come directly from God - “God-breathed”. Therefore everything within it is true and should not be changed or questioned.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The Bible
Other Christians
There are different kinds of truth in the bible.
Some sections could be taken literally. In other times it could be the message behind the text that is important, rather than the actual account. Some sections are thought to be myths.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The importance of the Bible
All Christians
Has authority for all christians, who believe it provides a guide for them to live a Christian life, behaving how God wishes. The revelation of God through the bible offers support and structure through their lives.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The importance of the Old Testament
Demonstrates how God gave rules and laws to followers of Christianity shown in the covenant made between God and Abraham.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The importance of the New Testament
Offers a new covenant made through the blood of Jesus on the cross, which offers believers the opportunity to be forgiven by God and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The use of the bible
Christians
Use the bible as a guide, and treat it with great respect, as it tells them what God wants/needs them to do.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The use of the bible
Ten Commandements
A source of moral guidance, offering christians a structure to their lives.
Authority and Importance of sacred texts
The use of the bible
Jesus’ teachings
May be used to help christians make decisions.
