Religion and Revelation

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Religion and Revelation

• Summary Notes

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• The word revelation in ordinary English is used
  to mean the realisation of something which was
  previously unknown. In this sense, God.
• Revelation is communication from God to humans.
• It can be in many forms. In Christianity,
  examples of revelation are
• Individuals Jesus, his life and teachings
• Scriptures the Bible
• Nature the world around us and use of reason
• Religious faith is accepting these revelations
  and acting on them
• Hugh Mackintosh All religious knowledge of God
  comes by revelation. If this was not the case
  then we would be committed to the belief that
  human beings can know God without God ever having
  revealed Himself. ? We wouldnt know about God
  if he hadnt let himself be known as there are
  religions, He must be letting himself be known.

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General Revelation

• It is possible for anyone to know God through
  general revelation.
• This can happen in a number of ways
• Reflecting on nature, and drawing conclusions
  e.g. the order and beauty must have been
  designed by a God
• Use of our conscience develops from an early
  age, and although subject to influences, al
  humans have a sense of this must be in-built
• Reflecting on scriptures the culmination of
  human reflection on God and what He wants often
  believed to be the word of God written down,
  although most Christians would accept some human
  interpretation
• Reflecting on the lives of important figures
  (e.g. Jesus, Mother Teresa, etc) people who have
  acted according to what they believe God wanted,
  and inspire others to do the same

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Special Revelation

• This refers to individuals having DIRECT
  experiences of God
• Dreams / Miracles / Receiving Messages (e.g.
  Terma tradition in Tibetan Buddhism) / A Strong
  Feeling of God Linked to an Event
• Often interpreted as a calling from God to
  do something specific (e.g. mission).
• These experiences are individual, and so open to
  interpretation
• Special revelation is not necessary to believe in
  God.

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Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths
• Significant experience affects whole life
• Different types of revelation add up to
  reinforce belief
• Sharing experiences with others also reinforce
  belief
• Often a long tradition of revelation dating back
  to start of the religion
• Christianity is a religion of revelation

• Weaknesses
• God is outwith our realm of senses, and as such
  cannot be known
• Because God is separate, different, and ultimate,
  humans can never understand God
• Ideas of God through revelation are only human
  descriptions insufficient
• Ideas of God through revelation are interpreted
  our ideas of God inaccurate