Belief and Science

Area 1

Sources of Human Understanding Revelation in Christianity Methods of Scientific Enquiry Strengths and Weaknesses of each

Area 1

Sources of Human Understanding Revelation in Christianity Methods of Scientific Enquiry Strengths and Weaknesses of each

Revelation in ChristianityRevelation in Christianity

Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson you should :-By the end of the lesson you should :-

Understand the difference between Understand the difference between General and Special Revelation.General and Special Revelation.

Be able to give examples of each.Be able to give examples of each.

What is revelation?????

What does it mean?

Make a list

How does God reveal things to us?

Complete this spider graph in groups of approximately 4

RevelationRevelation

God revealing himself God revealing himself to humankindto humankind

Revelation comes from Revelation comes from the Latin word, which the Latin word, which means to means to “remove the “remove the veil”veil”

Revelation

It means that there are certain facts or It means that there are certain facts or information about God that can be information about God that can be communicated to mankindcommunicated to mankind

The importance of RevelationThe importance of Revelation

It is important to It is important to understand that in the understand that in the Christian faith, Christian faith, revelation has a revelation has a historical context.historical context.

In other words In other words revelation takes place revelation takes place at a given time, in a at a given time, in a given place for a given place for a given purpose.given purpose.

Two main types of revelationTwo main types of revelation

It is important to note that there are two It is important to note that there are two main types of revelation.main types of revelation.

1.1.General revelationGeneral revelation

2.2.Special revelationSpecial revelation

General Revelation

What do you think general revelation might refer to???

How do you feel when you see an How do you feel when you see an image like this?image like this?

What is the most What is the most beautiful aspect of beautiful aspect of nature you have ever nature you have ever seen?seen?

How did it make you How did it make you feel?feel?

Thursday...

Will be our final lesson of 2011 To that end, we’ll be having a Hobbit party To THAT end, please bring in some

snacks or drinks

Beautiful WorldBeautiful World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlttdMsQ_W0

For some, the beauty of nature is enough to For some, the beauty of nature is enough to experience God in some mystical way. experience God in some mystical way.

General RevelationGeneral Revelation

General revelation refers General revelation refers to the natural worldto the natural world

It is possible for anyone It is possible for anyone to ‘know God’ through to ‘know God’ through general revelation.general revelation.

This can happen in a This can happen in a number of ways. number of ways.

For example, reflecting For example, reflecting on nature and drawing on nature and drawing conclusion. (e.g. the conclusion. (e.g. the order and beauty must order and beauty must have been designed by have been designed by God.)God.)

“The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is at all comprehensible”

What do you think Einstein meant by that?

StarlingsStarlings

Poetry in MotionPoetry in Motionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V71hz9

wNsgs&feature=related

Other General RevelationOther General Revelation

We have a We have a conscience, a sense conscience, a sense of right and wrong. of right and wrong.

Where does this Where does this come from and for come from and for what purpose?what purpose?

Knowing good from Knowing good from bad can help us to bad can help us to know Godknow God

Other General RevelationOther General Revelation

The Bible contains many books which speak The Bible contains many books which speak of God’s natureof God’s nature

For many Christian’s the Bible provides truth For many Christian’s the Bible provides truth and guidanceand guidance

Other General RevelationOther General Revelation

Important figures, such as Mother Theresa Important figures, such as Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King can inspire people to or Martin Luther King can inspire people to also work to help others. It is said we can also work to help others. It is said we can see God in these people.see God in these people.

Other General RevelationOther General Revelation

Church Tradition Roman Catholics

especially believes that God reveals himself through the traditions of the church (which include beliefs and teachings from previous centuries)

General Revelation – A Summary

The Wonders of Nature The Bible Our Conscience Seeing God in the actions of good people Church Tradition

What, if anything, would be the most convincing aspect of general revelation in proving God’s existence?

6 minutes

Discuss...

Special Revelation

What do you think special revelation might refer to???

Special Revelation

This refers to individuals having DIRECT This refers to individuals having DIRECT experiences of God. experiences of God.

Can you think of any well known examples of Can you think of any well known examples of this?this?

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation

A good example could be A good example could be Moses and the burning Moses and the burning bush. bush.

Special revelation is a Special revelation is a message from God for a message from God for a specific purpose.specific purpose.

In this example, Moses In this example, Moses was to the leader of the was to the leader of the Hebrews and save them Hebrews and save them from slavery.from slavery.

Moses and the Burning BushMoses and the Burning Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VTH5SWDFq4

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation

Religious Experience There are many people who have claimed

to experience God in some way and had their life changed as a result.

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation

Dreams and Visions Many claim to have had dreams where

God has spoken and profoundly changed them

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation

Miracles Many Christian’s believe miracles happen

today (as well as in the Bible). These are viewed as signs from God.

Special RevelationSpecial Revelation

Worship and Prayer Many Christians

claim to experience the presence of God through prayer and worship

Special Revelation for ChristiansSpecial Revelation for Christians

For Christians, revelation For Christians, revelation reaches its climax in the reaches its climax in the life, death and life, death and resurrection of Jesus of resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.Nazareth.

Ultimately, it is Jesus who Ultimately, it is Jesus who reveals what God is really reveals what God is really likelike

Special Revelation – A Special Revelation – A SummarySummary

Direct experiences with God Dreams and Visions Miracles / Healings Worship and Prayer The Life of Jesus

1. What do you think about special revelation?

2. Does it happen? Can it happen?

3. Do you know of anyone who has experienced God in this way?

Discuss...

8 minutes

Read pages 17 – 29 (much of it is pictures)Read pages 17 – 29 (much of it is pictures)

Complete questions 4 – 23 on pages 29-30Complete questions 4 – 23 on pages 29-30