Revelation

By Joe, Ethan and Jay

Revelation- God showing himself or information about himself to believers.Immanence- God is involved in the universe and life on earth.Transcendence- God is beyond the universe and is outside life on earth.General Revelation- God making himself known through ordinary, common means e.g. holy texts, beauty of nature, prayer and worship.Special Revelation- God making himself known through direct personal experience or an unusual event e.g. enlightenment, dreams/visions, miracles.Supremacy- Supreme power of God.Omnipotence- Unlimited PowerOmniscience- Knowledge of Everything, Benevolence- All-loving

Key Terms

Qualities of God

Special Revelation

• Examples of revelation:1. Moses on Mount Sinai (special Judaism)– God Revealed to Moses the convent that the chosen

people would have to follow. Thus showing his immanence and benevolence.

2. Angel and the Prophet Muhammed (special Islam)– Allah spoke, through an angel, to the Prophet and

revealed to him the Qur’an.

General Revelation

1. Nature– Believers can look at nature and see how

powerful, intricate and complex it is.

2. Holy Texts– They give an insight as to God’s nature and to

some extent his will

3. Conscience – Some consider this to be God’s voice guiding us

and telling us what is right and wrong

Strengths of RevelationSpecial General

It reveals all of what the higher being wants you to know

Accessible for everyone

It is direct and so much stronger (personally) than general revelation

The information you get from it can change to fit the time and situation

Gives them confidence to tell other information and lead them (religious founders)

Everyone (arguably) has a conscience and so has access to the revelation of right and wrong from God.

Much more confident that information is 100% accurate

Weaknesses of Revelation

Special General

Only one or a few people experience it Very subjective

Could have alternative explanations e.g. stress or drugs…

People dispute over meaning of the revelation, even in the same religion

Alternative Explanations

• Medical conditions

• Wishful thinking

• Wrong interpretations

• Fraudulent ‘revelations’

• Conscience due to upbringing– Argument against God causing conscience