Revelation

Question 1

Give an example of special revelations…

Answer 1

Visions - God’s voice is revealed, or the experiencer can see holy people or angels, such as St Bernadette who saw the Virgin Mary and was told Lourdes had healing properties.

Question 2

Give an example of God’s call

Answer 2

Mohammed was visited in a cave when meditating and Allah’s teachings were recited to him, leading to him repeating these teachings. This gave him authority to found Islam and write the Qu’ran.

Question 3

Describe a dream…

Answer 3

Jacob has a dream of angels travelling up and down a ladder (Genesis 28;10-22) this shows that God forgives all sins.

Question 4

Describe the story of Moses and the burning bush.

Answer 4

Moses was Jewish and male so to be saved he was sent out into a river in a basket.
He was raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter.
One day when caring for sheep, God appeared through a burning bush and told him to liberate the Israelites, so Moses did and the sea was parted to save them.

Question 5

Describe the Holy Trinity.

Answer 5

God the Father - the transcendent creator who is beyond nature’s laws.
God the Son - Jesus - shows God’s immanence.
The Holy Spirit - God as he acts in the world.

Question 6

Name the work of religious leaders for miracles.

Answer 6

In 1968 the Humane Vitae showed how we should use birth control. This affects our lives today.

Question 7

Describe how nature is a general revelation.

Answer 7

This creates awe and wonder as the world inspires us, being too complex to be an accident, showing God created it.

Question 8

How do religious followers act as revelations ?

Answer 8

Their work shows how it was guided by God. This allows us to learn about God and how he wants us to act. Those who are willing to die for faith prove God’s existence.

Question 9

How do holy books prove God’s existence?

Answer 9

This shows God’s indirect words, and general revelations from special revelations, allowing for us to learn what God wants us to know.

Question 10

How does reason and conscience prove God’s existence?

Answer 10

Reason shows the nature of God, while conscience shows God’s voice. Wanting to worship also proves God’s existence.

Question 11

Describe God’s call as a special revelation…

Answer 11

This gives people the authority to lead others and found a religion. This becomes general when it’s shared.

Question 12

Describe prayer and worship as a special revelation..

Answer 12

God’s presence is felt or the prayer is answered, showing God’s intervention.

Question 13

Describe visions and dreams…

Answer 13

St Bernadette - had visions of Virgin Mary and was told that the Lourdes water has healing properties.
Jacob - saw angels rising and climbing down a ladder to show how God forgives sins.

Question 14

Describe miracles…

Answer 14

This can involve healing despite the medical profession giving up. This is done through visiting a sacred place or through spiritual guidance or mental practise to cause a fast recovery, such as healing at Lourdes.

Question 15

Power of revelations - how do they provide proof?

Answer 15

Worship and reading scripture reinforces that it is right, while awe and wonder shows deliberate design.

Question 16

Power of revelations - how do people do as God wishes?

Answer 16

They may change their behaviour for God such as food, drink, clothing, or laws. Others may help others for God. Nuns and monks retreat to grow closer wit God.

Question 17

Power of revelations - how do people start religions?

Answer 17

They have the confidence and authority to lead. This causes them to feel the need to spread the message, some are even willing to die for their faith, proving the revelations are real.

Question 18

What are strengths of general revelations?

Answer 18

• They are available to everyone.
• They change with time.
• They have been available throughout history.
• Everyone has a conscience.

Question 19

What are strengths of special revelations?

Answer 19

• They disclose all of what God wants to know.
• Immediate impact.
• They give people authority to lead.

Question 20

What are difficulties with revelations?

Answer 20

• Revelations which happen to specific people are subjective.
• General revelations conflict each other.
• Wishful thinking
• Caused by drugs or a mental illness.
• Revelations within and outside religions conflict each other!
• They could be frauds set up for money.

Question 21

What do Christians believe confirms the validity of revelations?

Answer 21

• If the revelations correspond with fact, such as the water at Lourdes.
• If it fits with early revelations
• If it makes an atheist or someone of another religion convert.

Question 22

What revelations conflict outside religions?

Answer 22

In the Qu’ran it is forbidden to drink alcohol but in the Bible it is allowed. Jesus made wine from water in the New Testament. Christians think God can take multiple forms but Muslims believe he is one.

Question 23

What revelation conflicts within Christianity?

Answer 23

How God speaks through the Bible, for some it is a direct presence which makes it a special revelation for them, but for others the words are inspired by him, so it’s not a direct presence.