unit 4 Flashcards
What is meant by the term “Special Revelation”? [1]
This is when God is experienced in a supernatural way e.g. miracle, vision.
What is meant by general revelation? [1]
his refers to the experience of God in ways that anyone who wants to access can – e.g. reading a sacred text, prayer, learning from a religious leader.
What is meant by the term worship? (1)
this is religious act of adoration when the believer freely expresses and acknowledges the worth of God.
Name a sacred text from any religious tradition. [
Bible, Qur’an, Vedas.
Name a leader from any religious tradition. [1]
E.G. Pope (Christian) Imam (Islam), Guru (Hinduism), Minister (Christian) Martin Luther King (Christian) Muhammad (Islam)
Name one scholar who has written about religious experience. (1)
Richard Swinburne - William James, Schleiermacher, Rudolf Otto.
Give an example of worship from any religious tradition. [1]
There are many different types of worship: traditional (prayer, praise), Charismatic (speaking in tongues, healing), sacramental (Mass, communion, baptism) Ritualistic (chants and offerings).
Name two founders of a world religion.
Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Gautama the Buddha, Muhammad.
What is meant by the term sacred?
Meaning holy or sanctified.
Other than worship, name three ways in which religious believers might learn about God. [3]
They can learn about God through:
Reading from a sacred text: reading the Bible or Qur’an – guide book for life
Learning from the life and witness of a religious leader
Looking at and appreciating the natural world – natural revelation – God is generous and creative
Describe how God can be experienced through prayer. (5)
- Prayer is the central means to communicate with God.
- Prayer enables humanity to encounter a transcendent God.
- Passages from sacred texts may be used as a stimulus to pray and know God better.
- Specific examples of prayers may be cited for example Jesus’ teaching on prayer/the Lord’s Prayer.
Describe a miraculous event from one religious tradition you have studied
(The calming of the storm) – The Bible
Jesus was with his disciples in a boat on Lake Galilee
Suddenly a storm blew up and the disciples were frightened
Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat
The disciples came to him for help because they thought they were going to die
Jesus told them off for having little faith then he told the storm to be still – one of the disciples said: “Even the wind and the waves obey him.”
Describe the origins of one sacred text. (5)
The term Qur’an means recitation.
- The Qur’an contains the words of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad.
- It contains special revelation and should be always written in Arabic.
- These words were subsequently written down by followers of Muhammad.
- Muhammad was told he would be the messenger of Allah.
- The Qur’an is divided into Sura.
- It is Iman (faith) unchanging and unchangeable, it applies to all people forever.
Describe the work of one religious leader/teacher you have studied. (5)
Martin Luther King (Christian religious leader) – a US Baptist minister who was involved in civil rights
He aimed to get equal rights for US black citizens – employment, education, healthcare, voting, etc.
He highlighted the issue of inequality by taking part in and organising many non-violent protests: marches, sit-in’s, petitions, etc.
He raised the expectations of black US citizens by suggesting that they should be treated fairly and they should have the same rights as white US citizens
He believed that God made all people equal regardless of their colour since it says in the Bible: “God made man in his image”
He also believed that all people should be treated in love: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”
Unfortunately not everyone agreed with him and he was assassinated before he reached the age of 40.
15 Describe how God is revealed/how a person might come to know God through the life of one religious leader you have studied. (5)
(make 3 well supported points – support with example)
God has made all people equally loved by him and expects us treat each other with equal concern and respect – “Love your neighbour as you love yourself”, “made in God’s image”. Martin Luther King demonstrated this when he stood up for those who were not been treated fairly in the US – the black American citizens who did not enjoy equal rights to vote, equal pay, equal education, etc.
Jesus often associated with the poor and needy in his day – Martin Luther King was identifying with the most needy in his society and wanted to show them that they had not been forgotten and they did have a voice which should be listened to
Martin Luther King also demonstrated Jesus’ teachings when he refused to use violence to defend himself or to draw attention to his cause. He said: “I am very glad that Jesus did not ask us to like our enemies for I am finding them very difficult to like; he asked us to love our enemies for love is stronger than like.” Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Martin Luther King also demonstrated Christ like willingness to make sacrifices – Jesus sacrificed his life to get forgiveness for the world’s sin – Martin Luther King knew that he was grave danger of being assassinated but he carried on and he died for his cause.
Martin Luther King’s words are very famous – particularly his “I have a dream” speech were he encourages all people to accept each other and work together – Jesus too encouraged people to recognise each other as a creation of God and to love as God loves: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
explain how a religious believer might experience God through worship. (5)
A religious believer might experience God through worship in the following ways:
They may use prayers found in the Bible which were first given by Jesus e.g. the Lord’s Prayer – using this prayer will enable them to get closer to God because Jesus recommended it as a format for prayer for this disciples to follow. Muslims also use the words of the Qur’an in prayer – they believe that these words are the words of Allah and so they will be closer to God is they use these words
A religious believer might use spiritual songs or chants – these words of adoration and thanksgiving will remind them of how great and God is and give them joy when they think of God’s goodness to them
A sacred text might also be used in worship – the text is regarded as the word of God so reading this will tell them more about God and enrich their faith – the sacred text might also be explained further in a sermon and this will teach them more about God and how they should life their life in his service.
- Explain the benefits of religious experiences. (5)
Religious experiences are a form of Divine revelation, they reveal important spiritual truths.
- Religious experiences encourage the individual to have a relationship with the Divine.
- Such experiences may lead the individual to a radical change of lifestyle as a result of this experience.
- Religious experiences reveal God’s nature and character as a personal God.
- Sacred texts record key religious experiences that the believer should study and learn from.
- For atheism all such experiences are erroneous and delusional.
What is the purpose of a sacred text? (5)
They are a form of special revelation revealing the nature and character of God.
- They record the history of divine interaction within the universe and with humanity.
- They record divine commands and ethical codes/rules.
- They record the origins and destiny of all life on earth.
- Reference to relevant textual evidence should be included.
Accept valid alternatives
Explain why unanswered prayer might challenge the believer. (5)
- If God does not intervene believers may feel abandoned by God and doubt his presence.
- If God answers some prayers but not all it may make God seem unjust, unloving and arbitrary in whom He chooses to aid.
- A God who never intervenes to aid humanity may be unworthy of worship.
- Sacred texts promote the idea of Divine intervention failure to do so may lead believers to doubt the truths of these texts.
- Explain how a religious believer might experience God through one type of worship. (5)
Christians eat the bread and wine during the communion/Mass because they wish to follow Jesus’ command – Jesus told his disciples to do this until his return to the earth at the end of time
Christians believe that eating the bread and the wine is a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for them to get forgiveness for sin
Christians either believe the bread and wine are symbols or that they have mysteriously been transformed into the actual blood and body of Jesus. (transubstantiation).
Eating the bread and wine spiritually nourishes them for their live in the service of Jesus
All Christians across the world take part in this sacrament – this is a reminder that they are part of a global Church of Christ – fellowship
- Do you think revelation can lead to religious faith? Give reasons for your answer. (5)
Agree:
- Special revelation is essential for believers as it informs and forms their faith.
- Having supporting evidence of God’s existence can strengthen a believer’s faith.
- Without revelation how can humanity know God?
On the other hand:
- Faith is ultimately an individual choice, revelation can merely support it.
- Many believers experience doubt despite Divine revelation.
- Atheists may share experiences with theists but still reject religious faith and belief.
- Explain how a religious believer can know God through a sacred text. (5)
The sacred text is believed to be God’s word – God is speaking to them directly through the text
Christians believe that the Gospels in the New Testament tell them all about Jesus who they regard as God’s son and their example for life
They believe the text is a guide on how God wishes them to live e.g. it contains commandments: “Do not steal”
The sacred text contains examples of people who have followed God – they can learn from these experiences
They can learn about God’s character – 99 Beautiful names or “the Lord is my Shepherd”.
The sacred text contains prayers and songs which they can use in their worship of God e.g. the Bible contains the Lord’s Prayer and the book of Psalms is an entire book of songs which can be used in worship.
- “The Religious Experience argument fails because not everyone has religious experiences.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. (5)
Perceptual experiences are enjoyed by everyone, and religious experiences should be the same.
- God would want to be experienced by everyone, if not then there is no God.
- Religious experiences are claimed by uncritical and naive people.
- Religious experiences may be dismissed as delusion or illusions.
On the other hand:
- You need to be open to God to experience him.
- Many people have had an experience they would label as religious.
- Religious experiences are often very personal.
- Some may refer to experiences/phenomena to argue the case for God’s existence.
- “The example of religious leaders is more important than any written words.” (10)
- Jesus is seen as an ideal role model for Christians.
- Many religions have holy leaders to guide their followers and to act as moral examples.
- It is important to see theory being put into practice.
- Not all peoples can access sacred texts but many can witness exemplary leadership.
- Specific religious leaders studied may be referenced.
On the other hand:
- Many sacred texts are seen as the direct Word of God and as such are of primary importance.
- Humanity can never fully match up to deities and their example.
- Religious leaders may provide poor moral example/guidance.
- Human leaders are often flawed creatures, God is not.
