Revelation

Since God is hidden and cannot be fully grasped by human thought or described in terms of concepts derived from experience of the world, knowledge of God can never be obtained from natural science and his attributes cannot be described directly but only through analogy. God may, however, "choose" to make himself known and revelation is direct communication to man from God. To the Christian, as to those of many religions, this is the revelation of God in history experienced as guidance in the individual's life. Man may seek for revelation in terms of his practical needs, desiring good relations with the provider of material blessings; it may be for understanding of mysteries inherent in this life, such as birth and death, and of how life should be lived; or it may be for understanding for its own sake. All may be desired and most religious would say that all could be revealed - if God is all powerful, then it is within his power to make himself known. All revelation thus depends ultimately on God's will, but man has a part to play in its effectiveness. He has to be prepared to accept revelation through open eyes and ears - in this sense revelation is in two parts, the giver and receiver. Primarily the experience is of God himself and of his purposes (as in Krishna's revelation to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita); although the promulgation of a code of laws may be part of what is received (Moses receiving the ten commandments). To the Christian the greatest revelations are of Christ on earth and of his church.

Revelation is distinguished from magic, in that the former implies power over the divine while the latter is freely given by the divinity. Inasmuch as they are manifestations of divine grace, mystic and gnostic experiences may be included under this heading. The veracity of revelation experienced cannot be determined objectively; however, those who have been considered the most sane and trustworthy have also been those claiming experiences of revelation. Revelation is known by its fruits. The form of revelation varies enormously - from oracles, dreams, beauty, visions, to the still, small voice. The glories of creation reveal the even greater glory of their creator. Sacred writings, as revealed truth, may be considered revelations to the reader. As well as for personal instruction or persuasion, the person receiving the revelation may be a shaman, prophet or mediator who is inspired to divine mission or to act as an oracle.

The term revelation points to five different and often competing understandings of God's interaction with man: 1) Revelation is divinely authoritative doctrine inerrantly proposed as God's word by the Bible or by official church teaching; 2) Revelation is the manifestation of God's saving power by his great deeds in history; 3) Revelation is the self-manifestation of God by his intimate presence in the depths of human spirit; 4) Revelation is God's address to those whom he encounters with his word in Scripture and Christian proclamation; 5) Revelation is a breakthrough to a higher level of consciousness as humanity is drawn to a fuller participation in the divine creativity.