Revelation (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Revelation in Christianity
What is revelation?
Revelation refers to the way God makes himself known to humanity. Christians believe this is how God communicates his presence, will, and nature to people. Rather than remaining completely hidden, God chooses to reveal aspects of himself so that humans can understand and relate to him.
Many Christians claim to have personally experienced God and view these experiences as evidence of God's existence. This creates a foundation for belief that goes beyond mere intellectual acceptance.
How God reveals himself to Christians
Christians believe God makes himself known through various means that work together to provide a complete understanding of his nature:
Scripture and spiritual experiences:
- The Bible - considered God's written word
- Visions and spiritual experiences
- Miracles that demonstrate God's power
- Prayer and personal communication with God
Through the world and community:
- The natural world showing God's creation
- Church teachings and guidance
- The example and teachings of great Christian figures throughout history
These different forms of revelation work together to give Christians a comprehensive understanding of who God is and what he expects from humanity. No single form stands alone - they complement and reinforce each other.
Biblical examples of revelation
The Bible contains numerous accounts of God revealing himself to specific individuals, each demonstrating different aspects of how divine communication works.
Biblical Example: God's Revelation through Noah
The story of Noah demonstrates God's communication with humanity through covenant-making. Christians believe God spoke directly to Noah, establishing a promise that would affect all future generations.
The biblical account states: "I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth ... I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." (Genesis 9:11-13)
This covenant remains significant for Christians today because it involves all living things, not just humans. When Christians see a rainbow, many view it as a reminder of God's faithfulness and his promise to preserve creation.
Biblical Example: God's Revelation through Abraham
Abraham's relationship with God shows how revelation can involve testing and development of faith. God made a specific covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants despite his advanced age and his wife's inability to have children.
God told Abraham: "Walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." (Genesis 17:1-2)
The most dramatic test came when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in this extreme situation, demonstrated complete trust in God. However, God stopped Abraham at the last moment, showing that the request was a test of faith rather than an actual demand for sacrifice.
Christians identify Abraham as a crucial prophet because his story shows how God builds relationships with humans through both promises and challenges. The practice of circumcision among Jewish males continues today as a sign of this ancient covenant, demonstrating the lasting impact of God's revelation to Abraham.
Biblical Example: God's Revelation through Jesus
Christians view Jesus as the ultimate form of revelation because they believe he represents the Incarnation - God taking human form. This makes Jesus unique among all other forms of revelation.
The New Testament explains: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Through Jesus, Christians believe God revealed himself more completely than ever before. Rather than speaking through intermediaries or symbols, God became human himself to communicate directly with humanity. This allows people to understand God's nature through Jesus's teachings, actions, and character.
What revelation shows about God's nature
Through various forms of revelation, Christians believe they can understand key characteristics that define God's relationship with creation and humanity.
God's power and knowledge:
- Omnipotence - God is all-powerful, able to perform miracles and control natural events
- Omniscience - God is all-knowing, aware of everything that happens and understanding all human thoughts and motivations
God's character:
- Benevolence - God is loving and caring, genuinely concerned for human welfare and happiness
God's relationship with creation:
- Immanent - God is close to humanity and actively involved in the world
- Transcendent - God exists beyond full human understanding and remains greater than creation itself
This combination of characteristics creates what some Christians see as a paradox. God is close enough to communicate with humans and care about their lives, yet remains so great that people cannot fully comprehend his nature.
Most Christians place great importance on revelation because they believe it shows God actively choosing to communicate with humanity rather than remaining distant and unknowable.
Different Christians may emphasise certain forms of revelation over others. Some place greater importance on biblical revelation, while others focus more on personal spiritual experiences or the natural world as ways of understanding God.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Revelation is how God makes himself known to humanity through various means including Scripture, prayer, miracles, and the natural world
- The covenants with Noah and Abraham show God making lasting promises that affect all future generations, with physical signs (rainbow, circumcision) as reminders
- Christians believe Jesus represents the ultimate revelation as the Incarnation - God in human form communicating directly with humanity
- Revelation shows God as omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent - powerful yet caring
- God is both immanent (close to humanity) and transcendent (beyond full human understanding), creating a unique relationship between the divine and human