Differences between general and special revelation of God.

1. Who is God?
(Write this heading on your paper and
answer what you think.)

2. “God Almighty”
Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck
1426
“What do these
pictures suggest
about God and his
characteristics?

3. “God the Father” by Andrea del Castagno, from 1442.

4. God the Father It was created by Artus Quellin II in 1682

5. The Creation of Man by Michelangelo, a fresco in the Sistine Chapel

6. How do you know what you know?
How do you know “the answer” to this
question?
RevelationRev`e*la"tion, n.
1. The act of revealing, disclosing, or discovering to
others what was before unknown to them.
http://www.dictionary.net/revelation
(Write this word and definition in your notes)

7. General revelation-This is term can be
defined as God’s communication of himself to
all mankind, to all persons, at all times, and in
all places.
(Copy this definition.)
What do you think would be examples of
general revelation?

10. Other than the natural world what are other
areas of general revelation?
(Discuss in class.)
History-nation of Israel
Human nature-According to the Bible man
is said to be made in God’s image so he
could reflect God through his moral and
spiritual qualities.
(Write the three types of general revelation)

11. What might a person learn about God
from general revelation?
(Write your answer to this question.)
What does the Bible say about
general revelation?

12. Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

13. “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—
his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made, so that men are
without excuse.”
Romans 1:20

14. 14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature
things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though
they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of
the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing
witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Romans 2:14-15

15. Why might general revelation be an inaccurate
way to know God? (Discuss)
Is the world the way it was originally created?
Is “sinful” man capable of interpreting God
truthfully?

16. Special Revelation-Can be defined as God’s
manifestation of himself to particular persons at definite
times and places, enabling those persons to enter into a
redemptive relationship with him.
(Write this definition.)
Many religions claim special revelation as
a basis for their beliefs.

17. Taking moderate food,
Siddharth seated himself
under a pipal tree at Bodh
Gaya and swore not to stir
until he had attained the
supreme enlightenment. On
the night of the full moon, after
overcoming the attacks and
temptations of Mara, "the evil
one," he reached
enlightenment, becoming a
Buddha at the age of 35.
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008
Columbia University Press.
Buddhism

18. Discontented with life in Mecca,
Mohammed retreated to a cave in the
surrounding mountains for meditation
and reflection. According to Islamic
beliefs it was here, at age 40, in the
month of Ramadan, where he received
his first revelation from God. Three
years after this event Muhammad
started preaching these revelations
publicly, proclaiming that "God is
One", that complete "surrender" to
Him (lit. islām) is the only way
acceptable to God, and that he himself
was a prophet and messenger of God.
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008
Columbia University Press.
Islam

19. According to Joseph Smith’s
account, in 1827 he unearthed
golden tablets inscribed with sacred
writings that he translated. Oliver
Cowdery, Martin Harris, and others
transcribed these records from his
dictation, and the Book of Mormon
was published in 1830. Further
revelations led him to found a new
religion after priesthood had been
conferred upon him and Cowdery by
an "angel." As prophet and seer he
founded (1830) his church in
Fayette, N.Y.
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008
Columbia University Press.
Mormonism

20. 4 When the LORD saw that he
had gone over to look, God called to
him from within the bush, "Moses!
Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am."
5 "Do not come any closer," God
said. "Take off your sandals, for the
place where you are standing is holy
ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the
God of your father, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac and the
God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid
his face, because he was afraid to
look at God.
Exodus 3:4-6
The Old Testament

21. The Old Testament
“28 Then the man said, “Your name will
no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because
you have struggled with God and with
men and have overcome.”29 Jacob
said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my
name?” Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,
saying, “It is because I saw God face to
face, and yet my life was spared.” .
Genesis 32:23-30

22. 13 “ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he
looked up and saw a man standing in front of
him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua
went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or
for our enemies?"
14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander
of the army of the LORD have now come."
Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in
reverence, and asked him, "What message
does my Lord have for his servant?"
Joshua 5:13-14
The Old Testament

23. 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has
been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines
in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his
glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth.John 1:1-5, 14
The New Testament

24. The Bible claims to contain special
revelation of God to man . The
following references suggests that
God revealed and inspired the
authors of the Bible so man would
have a trustworthy answer to the
question, “Who is God?”.
(Write down the references after you
read them.)

25. 20 “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture
came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy
never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as
they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:20-21
16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the
man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
160 “All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are
eternal.”
Psalm 119:160

26. Assignment
Some people believe all religions lead to
God just by different paths. Do you agree
or disagree? Why do you think it is possible
or impossible? Relate this discussion to
special revelation and various religion’s claims
to special revelation. (Answer in least 5
sentences on separate paper, using correct
grammar and spelling. Be prepared to discuss you
answer.)

27. Do Now: Study OT Books 2/27/2014
Law
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
History
Joshua
Judges
Ruth