Revelation, put simply, is the transmission of knowledge from the divine to the human. It includes not only Biblical revelation but revelation evident throughout the whole of human history. Christian knowledge is sourced not only from Revelation, but from reason as well. An example of this is that we can reason the existence of God, but only through revelation know that He is Triune.

Revelation for Christians also encompasses God's invitation to respond in faith and action in friendship with Him. Christians place different emphasis on different forms of revelation. All Christians agree that the Person of Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God (because He is Incarnate - God made man).

Protestant Christians and Catholics alike source revelation from Sacred Scripture, and Catholics extend revelation to Sacred Tradition as well.

Activity 1 - Define Key Terms (in exercise books)

• Revelation
• Sacred Scripture
• Sacred Tradition

Activity 2 - Cloze Passage (in exercise books)

Word Bank: Sacred Text; Holy Spirit; Experiences; Tradition; Dwelling; Vehicles; Ongoing; Bible; Nature

Christians believe that God is revealed to human kind in and through the ___________ of human history. God can be revealed in a number of ways or through various ‘___________.’

The first being that of God’s own spirit ___________ within human beings. This can be seen in the scripture where the Holy Spirit has a role in inspiring the writers. The second way revelation is communicated is ___________ itself – i.e. the ___________.

Teaching ___________ is another way and again, this is inspired by the ___________. Other less formal ways are through ___________ and loving relationships.

Revelation is still unfolding in human experience - it is ___________ and transforming.

Activity 3:

Pentecostal Christians approach take a literal approach to understanding Scripture. Discuss one strength and weakness of this approach.

Resources: 

- The Fundamentalist Challenge (click here)
- Pentecostal Worship (click here)