1. Revelation in the Christian Tradition
Higher
RMPS
Belief and Science
Revelation in the Christian Tradition

2. Learning Intentions...
I can describe the nature and importance of revelation in the Christian tradition.
I am developing an understanding of the concept of ‘general’ and ‘special’ revelation.

3. The Importance of Revelation

4. Revelation
Christians believe that God has revealed his presence throughout the ages and continues to do so.
A Christian has faith that revelation is true.
Christians believe that their God YHWH (Yahweh) reveals his nature to us through what he does. YHWH means “I AM”, or – “I will show you who I am by what I do”.

5. Revelation
Christians believe that throughout the period they know as the Old Testament, God revealed himself through Kings (should we be sceptical of this?) and prophets.
The final and ultimate revelation was in the form of Jesus.

6. Revelation
Remember: Christians believe Jesus was the incarnation of God – literally meaning God made flesh. Christians believe that by this God was revealing himself to humans.

7. Revelation
Christians believe that revelation is when God tells us what he wants us to do.
Revelation contains the truth – as it comes from God. The message is perfect with no flaws, or infallible.

8. Revelation
Revelation stems from the Latin word revelare, which means ‘to remove the veil’. Christians believe that it reveals what is hidden or partially hidden.
Revelation is important to Christians because it reveals the purpose of our creation and why we are really here.

9. What is the importance of revelation to Christians?
Check your learning
What is the importance of revelation to Christians?
4 KU
(4 min)

10. What is the importance of revelation to Christians? 4KU 4min
Marking instructions:
Where candidates list points, a sentence of explanation is required to gain a mark.

11. What is the importance of revelation to Christians?
4 KU
“Revelation reveals God’s nature to us.”
It is infallible (perfect).
• Gives us God's will for creation.
• God's way of communicating with us.
• God reveals what is hidden or partially hidden.
• Contains the truth.
• Reveals the purpose of creation.

12. The Nature of Revelation

13. Revelation in summary General and Special Revelation Through Scripture
Through the Traditions of the Church
Through Religious Experience
Through Order and Design

14. General and Special Revelation
General Revelation
Revelatio Realis
The works of God
(nature, observation of the world, available to anybody)
Special Revelation
Revelatio Verbalis
The word of God
(given directly to one person eg. Moses and the burning bush, prophets etc)
Very important !! Copy into your jotters!

15. General Revelation
God reveals character to all Christians. Addressed to human reason.
Seen through his acts of creation.
‘Order and complexity’ suggests creator and designer (Cosmological and Teleological argument).
Examples throughout human history e.g. Exodus
Awareness or feeling of God.

16. Special Revelation
Revelation is more direct or personal. Understood through faith.
Dreams, visions, appearances and miracles e.g. 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai; Exodus story - Moses and the burning bush/parting of the red sea.
Rooted in God’s plan to redeem us and addressed to man as a sinner (due to The Fall).

17. (The most) Special Revelation (to Christians)
Becoming human in the form of Jesus.
‘A glimpse of God.’

18. Real-time test Answer in pairs General Special Moses’ burning bush
10 Commandments in the Bible
The works of God
Moses receiving the 10 Commandments
Act of creation
A dream or vision of Jesus
The Bible
General
Special
Answer in pairs

19. Real-time test General Special Moses’ burning bush
10 Commandments in the Bible
The works of God
Moses receiving the 10 Commandments
Act of creation
A dream or vision of Jesus
The Bible
General
Special

20. Describe two types of revelation. 4 KU (4 min)
Check your learning
Describe two types of revelation.
4 KU
(4 min)

21. Describe two types of revelation.
4 KU
Marking instructions:
Candidates may obtain a maximum of 2 marks for each description. No marks should be awarded if the candidate simply writes “general” and “special”.

22. Describe two types of revelation.
4 KU
General …Revelatio Realis
The works of God
To people in general
Rooted in creation and addressed to human reason
E.g. order and complexity in nature
Special … Revelatio Verbalis
The word of God
A particular communication to a particular individual
E.g. of dream, vision, miracle... Moses - burning bush
Rooted in God’s plan to redeem us and addressed to man as a sinner and can be
Understood through faith

23. Think about it…
What would you do if you thought that God had spoken to you in a dream?
Would it depend on whether he had asked you to do something?

24. Revelation in summary General and Special Revelation Through Scripture
Through the Traditions of the Church
Through Religious Experience
Through Order and Design

25. I Can...
.... describe the nature and importance of revelation in the Christian tradition.
I am...
.... developing an understanding of the concept of ‘general’ and ‘special’ revelation.

26. The following images are interesting examples of revelation...

27. Example of Special Revelation: Moses
Moses had a vision of a burning bush and a voice that told him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrew slaves.

28. CHICAGO -- A marking on a Kennedy Expressway underpass is creating a stir in Chicago.

29. Tears appear to show up on Madonna statue when picture was developed

30. Revelation through Religious Experience
Alternative to scripture and tradition - direct experience of God communicating with you.
Many forms of religious experience:
‘one-ness’, realisation, ‘becoming one’ with the Universe.
reaction to an event and interpretation of the meaning e.g. surviving illness or lightbulb story

31. Revelation through Religious Experience
Often dramatic / traumatic. May happen during worship or high stress situation.

34. Outline of Higher RMPS schedule for Science and Belief
August-December TJ
1 Sources of human understanding
Christian revelation.
Scientific enquiry.
Christianity, science and the origins of human life.
2 What is the origin of the universe?
Christianity and the origins of the universe: a creator God.
Science and the origins of the universe: the Big Bang Theory.
3 Is there compatibility between Christian belief and scientific theory?
4 Christianity and science: the origins of human life
Christian approaches to the origins of human life.
Science and the theory of evolution.
Christian responses to the theory of evolution.

35. Homework for Monday 19th August
1.What does the Latin word revelare mean?
2. Describe ‘general’ revelation.
3. Describe ‘special’ revelation.
4. What is the literal meaning of ‘incarnation’? 5.