Religion, Reason & Revelation Flashcards
Reason
The ability to think logically and arrive at justified conclusions
Revelation
God revealing truth to humans
General revelation and give examples
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)
Special revelation and give examples
Revelation that is directed at a particular individual or group (e.g. God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai)
Conversion and give examples
Changing from one set of beliefs to another, sometimes as a result of special revelation (e.g. Saul on the road of Damascus)
Charismatic worship and give examples
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
Meditation & Prayer and give examples
The act of contemplating-‘thinking about’-God and asking for his intercessions (e.g. ‘The Lord’s prayer’: Give us our daily bread…’)
Sacred texts/scripture
Writing understood by Christians to contain God’s revelation to humans (the ‘word of God’)
Authority
In this context, the reason why a certain piece of writing is considered important ( for Christians, because it’s the ‘word of God’
Old Testament
According to Christians, then first part of God’s revelation yo humans. Contains the story of creation and the history of Jewish people
New Testament
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
Verbal inerrancy
The idea that every word in the Bible is chosen /inspired by God, and that, as a result, the Bible contains no error.
Vatican II
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
what paths might Christians chose to brig them closer to God
- Experiencing a conversion
- Communicating with God through prayer or meditation
- Feeling the presence of God during worship
- Feeling God’s presence in then world
- Experiencing a miraculous event
- God revealed through Jesus
Experiencing a conversion
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)
Communication with God through prayer or meditation
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.
Feeling the presence of God during worship
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.
Feeling God’s presence in the world
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.
Experiencing a miraculous event
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.
God revealed through Jesus
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
what do Christians believe was Jesus’ purpose when he came to Earth?
- 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
what can a Christian experience when they become Christian?
- 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
What evidence is there in the account of Saul’s conversion that suggests the significance of the experience?
- 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.
