SCRIPTURE: Lesson 1 the divine.

This is evident in the

universal human experience of moral
God and Revelation
law and the search for meaning and
-Revelation in Christian theology refers truth.
to the process through which God
Special Revelation:
makes Himself known to humanity.
This revelation is the cornerstone of Scripture: Special Revelation is more
the Christian faith, as it forms the direct and specific, found in sacred
basis for understanding who God is, texts like the Bible. Scripture is
what He desires for humanity, and believed to be divinely inspired and
how humans are to relate to Him. This provides the most detailed knowledge
overview explores the concept of God of God’s will, especially His plan for
and Revelation, breaking it down into salvation through Jesus Christ.
key areas for a thorough
Jesus Christ: The ultimate form of
understanding.
Special Revelation is the person of
Understanding Revelation Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate.
Jesus is seen as the definitive
Definition of Revelation
revelation because, in Him, God fully
-Revelation comes from the Latin word reveals Himself.
revelation , meaning "unveiling" or
Prophets and Apostles: God also
"disclosure." In theology, it refers to
revealed Himself through the words
the ways in which God reveals His
and deeds of the prophets in the Old
nature, will, and purpose to humans.
Testament and the apostles in the New
-Revelation is necessary because, on Testament, who were inspired by the
their own, humans cannot fully know Holy Spirit to communicate God’s
God due to their finite nature and the message.
infinite nature of God.
Communication: Human and
Two Types of Revelation: Divine

General (Natural) Revelation: Human Communication:

Nature and Creation: General Relational Aspect: Human

Revelation is accessible to all people communication involves exchanging
at all times. It is the knowledge of God ideas, thoughts, emotions, and values
gained through observing the natural through language, symbols, actions,
world, which reflects His glory, power, and art. It is relational, meaning it
and divine nature. As stated in Psalm depends on the relationship between
19:1, "The heavens declare the glory individuals and their context.
of God; the skies proclaim the work of
Analogical Communication:
his hands."
Understanding divine communication
Human Conscience and Reason: requires an analogy to human
General Revelation also occurs communication, acknowledging that
through human conscience and while God's ways are higher than
reason, which allow individuals to human ways, He condescends to
perceive moral truths and a sense of
communicate in ways humans can Unique Revelation: Unlike other
understand. forms of revelation, Jesus is not merely
a messenger but God Himself. In Jesus,
Divine Communication:
God is fully and personally present,
The Means of Divine making the unknowable knowable.
Communication: God’s
The Teachings and Actions of Jesus:
communication is multifaceted and
occurs through: Teachings: Jesus’ teachings reveal
the nature of God’s kingdom, the
Creation: God communicates His
importance of love, mercy, and justice,
existence, power, and wisdom through
and the path to eternal life. The
the created order.
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is
Scripture: The Bible is the primary a prime example of Jesus’ moral and
means by which God communicates spiritual teaching.
His specific will and purposes.
Miracles: Jesus’ miracles demonstrate
Jesus Christ: The Incarnation is the God’s power over nature, sickness,
fullest expression of divine and death, and they serve as signs of
communication. God’s kingdom breaking into the
world.
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit continues
to communicate God’s presence and Death and Resurrection: The
guidance to believers. crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus
are central to Christian faith, revealing
Purpose of Divine Communication: God’s love and the means of human
The purpose is to establish a redemption. Through Jesus’ sacrifice,
relationship with humanity, offer God’s justice and mercy are fully
salvation, and reveal God’s plan for expressed.
the world. God desires to be known
and to bring humans into communion Jesus as the "Word" (Logos):
with Him.
Logos Theology: In the prologue to
Jesus as the Definitive Revelation the Gospel of John, Jesus is described
of God as the "Word" (Greek: Logos), meaning
He is the ultimate expression of God’s
The Incarnation: mind, will, and creative power. This
God Made Flesh: In Christian belief, concept highlights that Jesus is not
the Incarnation refers to God just a part of God’s message but is the
becoming human in the person of message itself, the divine
Jesus Christ. This is seen as the communication made flesh.
pinnacle of divine revelation because, Avenues of God’s Communication:
through Jesus, God’s nature, will, and
love are fully revealed. John 1:14 Scripture (The Bible):
states, "The Word became flesh and
Old Testament: Contains the record
made his dwelling among us. We have
of God’s revelation to Israel, including
seen his glory, the glory of the one
the Law, the Prophets, and the
and only Son, who came from the
Wisdom literature. It sets the stage for
Father, full of grace and truth."
the coming of Christ and reveals God’s communicates His presence and grace
covenantal relationship with humanity. in a tangible way.
New Testament: Focuses on the life, Examples: The Eucharist (Holy
teachings, death, and resurrection of Communion) is a key sacrament where
Jesus Christ. It also includes the letters believers encounter the real presence
of the apostles, which provide of Christ. Baptism, Confirmation, and
guidance for the early Church and Reconciliation are other sacraments
continue to be authoritative for that play significant roles in the
Christians today. believer's spiritual journey.
Tradition: Creation:
Apostolic Tradition: Refers to the Natural Revelation: The natural
teachings and practices handed down world reflects God’s power, wisdom,
from the apostles through the Church. and beauty. It serves as a starting
Tradition is seen as a living point for recognizing the existence of
transmission of the faith, guided by God and His attributes.
the Holy Spirit.
Stewardship: Humanity is called to
Development of Doctrine: Over be stewards of creation, recognizing it
time, the Church, through councils and as a gift from God and responding with
the Magisterium, has developed a care and reverence.
deeper understanding of divine
Human Conscience and Reason:
revelation, though the core truths
remain unchanged. Conscience: The inner voice that
guides a person in discerning right
The Magisterium:
from wrong. It is considered a
Teaching Authority: The manifestation of God’s law written on
Magisterium, composed of the Pope human hearts (Romans 2:15).
and bishops, is the Church’s teaching
Reason: The Church teaches that
authority. It is responsible for
faith and reason are complementary.
interpreting and safeguarding the
Reason helps to understand and
teachings of Scripture and Tradition,
articulate the truths of faith, while
ensuring they are faithfully
faith enlightens reason to perceive
transmitted.
divine truths that surpass human
Infallibility: When the Magisterium understanding.
defines doctrines concerning faith and
Mystical Experiences and Private
morals, it is believed to do so infallibly,
Revelations:
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Mystics and Saints: Throughout
The Sacraments:
history, certain individuals have had
Visible Signs of Invisible Grace: profound experiences of God’s
The sacraments are seen as channels presence. These experiences, while
of divine grace, instituted by Christ. personal, often inspire and guide the
They are moments where God broader community.
Private Revelations: These are
revelations given to individuals after
the time of the New Testament. While
not part of the deposit of faith, they
can be recognized by the Church as
authentic and beneficial, provided
they do not contradict Scripture or
Tradition.