Religion, Reason & Revelation

Question 1

Reason

Answer 1

The ability to think logically and arrive at justified conclusions

Question 2

Revelation

Answer 2

God revealing truth to humans

Question 3

General revelation and give examples

Answer 3

Revelation that is potentially available to all humans through nature (e.g. the beauty of creation, used by Christians as evidence for God’s existence)

Question 4

Special revelation and give examples

Answer 4

Revelation that is directed at a particular individual or group (e.g. God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai)

Question 5

Conversion and give examples

Answer 5

Changing from one set of beliefs to another, sometimes as a result of special revelation (e.g. Saul on the road of Damascus)

Question 6

Charismatic worship and give examples

Answer 6

A form of special revelation in which special gifts ( e.g. the ability to see visions, cure illnesses, etc) are supposedly given to certain humans by God

Question 7

Meditation & Prayer and give examples

Answer 7

The act of contemplating-‘thinking about’-God and asking for his intercessions (e.g. ‘The Lord’s prayer’: Give us our daily bread…’)

Question 8

Sacred texts/scripture

Answer 8

Writing understood by Christians to contain God’s revelation to humans (the ‘word of God’)

Question 9

Authority

Answer 9

In this context, the reason why a certain piece of writing is considered important ( for Christians, because it’s the ‘word of God’

Question 10

Old Testament

Answer 10

According to Christians, then first part of God’s revelation yo humans. Contains the story of creation and the history of Jewish people

Question 11

New Testament

Answer 11

According to Christians the second part of God’s revelation to humans: the new covenant’. Contains the story of Jesus’ life ( the Gospels) and Paul’s letters

Question 12

Verbal inerrancy

Answer 12

The idea that every word in the Bible is chosen /inspired by God, and that, as a result, the Bible contains no error.

Question 13

Vatican II

Answer 13

Meeting the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s to decide changes in Church teachings and practice in response to certain changes in society whilst remaining true to Christians values

Question 14

what paths might Christians chose to brig them closer to God

Answer 14

1. Experiencing a conversion
2. Communicating with God through prayer or meditation
3. Feeling the presence of God during worship
4. Feeling God’s presence in then world
5. Experiencing a miraculous event
6. God revealed through Jesus

Question 15

Experiencing a conversion

Answer 15

Some people feel that a personal contact with God has caused them to change their beliefs or behaviour. One of the best know accounts of conversion in the Bible is the one of St Paul (Saul)

Question 16

Communication with God through prayer or meditation

Answer 16

This is a two way communication- Christians speak to God and listen for a reply. A believer would experience then presence of God. Christians might also meditate to get closer to God and a retreat is another way to experience the presence of God.

Question 17

Feeling the presence of God during worship

Answer 17

Charismatic worships ( Pentecostalists) enable believer to experience then presence of God though the Holy Spirit which might come upon them during then service. This might cause them to faint, speak in tongues, speak then words of God (prophesy). 
Sacramental services such as then Roman Catholic Mass include celebration of Holy Communion. By drinking the wine and eating the bread believers are assured of the existence of God in front of Jesus.

Question 18

Feeling God’s presence in the world

Answer 18

Many Christians feel that they can experience the presence of God as they walk in then countryside, or watch the sunset. It gives then awe and wonder, this helps them to believe in the experience in God thorough nature.

Question 19

Experiencing a miraculous event

Answer 19

A Christian who has experienced a miraculous event, such as a loved one being cured from a terminal illness or saved after an accident can be an evidence of God’s existence.

Question 20

God revealed through Jesus

Answer 20

The incarnation of Jesus is the most important demonstration of God’s presence for a Christian. They believed that God wanted to give the opportunity for Christians to find a way back to God by sending his son Jesus on Earth.
‘The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, his glory of the One and Only, who came form the father, full of grace and truth’ John 1:14

Question 21

what do Christians believe was Jesus’ purpose when he came to Earth?

Answer 21

• in order to bring humans closer to God
• when a person becomes Christian the Holy Spirit lives within her/him
• some people feel God’s presence thorough prayer, baptism, vision and inner sense. They are described as mystical or religious.
• God usually comes during personal prayer and contemplation

Question 22

what can a Christian experience when they become Christian?

Answer 22

• Some Christians claim to have had experienced a conversion which gives them a sense of forgiveness, joy,, listing of depression.
• For some Christians conversion is accompanied with a miracle or some vision with God

Question 23

What evidence is there in the account of Saul’s conversion that suggests the significance of the experience?

Answer 23

• Saul was persecuting Christians and on his way to Damascus he saw a bright light which blinded him for 3 days.
• After 3 days Ananias placed his hand on his eyes and he was immediately baptised
• Saul was changed to Paul and started preaching in the synagogues.