The three of them were on holiday in Scarborough. They were camping for a week, and the weather was scorching. Perhaps that’s why they’d been reluctant to go back to the tent even to change. It was much cooler on the sands by the sea. They’d had fun throwing the frisbee in the morning, and in the afternoon they’d been in and out of the water to get maximum sunburn with minimum skin damage. Now they’d lingered longer than usual – and they saw that a crowd had gathered nearer the promenade further along the beach. Going over they saw two people – a man and a woman. They could almost have been students like themselves, but they were the centre of attention. They were talking sometimes quite loudly and excitedly, sometimes quietly. A few people drifted nearer and quickly moved away; rather more stayed. The crowd grew.
Curiosity got the better of the threesome. Tuning in, they realised that this was less of a stand-up comedy routine, rather some kind of public boasting session. The man apparently worked in a hospital and the woman was in the army. They were each telling bits and pieces of their life stories, with anecdotes and funny stories that showed them as ordinary and genuine individuals – very likeable. They shared some quite challenging experiences from their jobs: he from a year in the Casualty Department, she from her time in Iraq. And they were also saying why they are doing these particular jobs. Yes there were the usual things about limited options, not wanting to be bored, and the actual pay and longer term prospects. But there was something new too. They each talked of feeling able to make a difference for other people. Finding the right words, performing the right actions demanded all their skills and training. It also called for the careful sensitivity, which they’d once seen in someone else. Now they were wanting to demonstrate this tough caring themselves.
Hearing them tell their stories had an electric effect on the crowd – as on the three. It asked the kind of questions that came to mind gazing up at the sky from outside the tent. It also gave some very distinctive answers. The boasting wasn’t about the two people who were speaking. It was about a different perspective on life. All three of them were astonished.
REVELATION
”Experience of knowledge coming to an individual in some sense 'from beyond'. This is pictured as 'the light dawning' or 'a flash of inspiration' with its source not calculatingly controlled. It is often seen as the special characteristic of the Bible, both as containing the words revealed by God to the prophets and by Jesus during his ministry, and as overall the Word of God. The characterisation as 'Sacred Scripture', however, also applies to words and writings in other religious traditions. The source of such Revelation may be perceived as coming from outside the recipient; this is how it is most commonly presented in Christianity, as well as Judaism and Islam. It is also presented as coming from meditational depths inside the recipient, who like the Buddha finds Enlightenment. The Enlightenment associated with western philosophers, makes much of its preference for the light shed by internal reason. That can be presented as an order of knowledge entirely different from that which is known from scripture or mystical experience. Similarly, 'religious insiders' may sometimes stress the specialness of the Revelation, which they have received, as being of a totally different order from anything else which is known. The challenge for anyone involved in making moral judgements is how to interpret and apply revelatory insights of any kind in the present moment.”
Illustrative Stories
I’ve never heard it like this before!
question: what do you think so grabbed the attention of the three campers in what they saw and heard?
Just a dream
She didn’t usually dream – or at least she could never recall any of the dreams she was told she must be having when her eyelids were flickering vigorously for several minutes at a time whilst she was asleep. This time, however, she had. And it was quite a dream! She had been following this path through the countryside and it had taken her into some trees. These had become more and more dense till she realised she was in a forest – and on her own. All the foliage on the trees towering over her made it quite dark. The recent rain (was it raining when she started this walk?) meant it was all very damp. And there were occasional noises – birds or woodland creatures she couldn’t see. She was starting to feel quite scared, so she began running. Almost immediately she found herself in the middle of a clearing. The sun was shining very brightly, there were colourful flowers in abundance, and a beautiful pool of water. Any fear she’d felt was gone. Instead her heart was beating with contentment. Her eyes fell on a box, made of ivory carved with dancing figures. Opening it she saw a letter, and on it her name. Could this really be happening? Well, it was and to prove it she was able to read the letter. It made her feel very happy. Suddenly, it was raining very hard. She would get soaked. She needed to find shelter, but where? At this point she’d woken up. She realised immediately that she’d been in a dream, and that she felt strangely elated. Going through the dream, she could bring to mind all its features, including, yes, the letter. Now, what did it say? Oh no: the writing was no longer there in her mind’s eye and she couldn’t remember any of its words.
question: do dreams ever reveal anything of significance to us about our lives?
Biblical References
Revelation at Mount Sinai
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin." Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20: 18-21.
question: is this a revelation through fear?
Voice from the whirlwind: cosmic credibilities
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding....."Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the hoarfrost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? Job 38: 1-4, 28-33.
question: if someone is anguished about life being unfair, might they like Job be moved by the wonders manifest in the universe?
Future vision
I,Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another..... As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.....As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed....."As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever." Daniel 7:2-3,9-10,13-14,17-18.
question: is Daniel’s hope of coming kingdom of common humanity still ahead?
Revealed as extra-ordinary
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" Luke 24:13-32.
question: recognised as beating death?
All Peoples revealed as Chosen
"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I replied, "By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a second time the voice answered from heaven, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, "Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." Acts 11:5-18.
question: is ’another revolution revealed’ a fair way of describing this experience?
Expositions from Theologians
Reason v Revelation
The dichotomy of reason and revelation has been historically important. For polemical purposes, adherents to each extreme have forced polarizations. Revelation seems to some to be unreasonable and absurd; reason for others cannot build a rational bridge to God because God is totally other and free and not to be bound by the limits of human rationality. Indeed, he can only be known by revelation. The polarization is wrong and unnecessary.
Whatever claims are made for revelation, one cannot deny that human experience is an indispensable aspect both of how it is known and what is known through it. Whatever claims are made for reason, theological arguments for the existence of God are based on human experiences of other persons, of nature, and of society. Both revelation and reason are human reflections on human experiences.
…In Christian ethics the issues of the relation of revelation to tradition, and to philosophical (natural) ethics have long histories, comparable to the historical developments in theology proper. The Bible itself is seen not to provide one Christian ethic; there are several strands in the New Testament which have warranted historical alternatives in the development of Christian ethical thought.
James M Gustafson Theology and Ethics Blackwell 1981, pp. 147-8, 150.
question:
Revelation complements reason
There is a place for the authority of reason: the grace of God does not replace nature but fulfils it, and reason serves faith in the same way that our natural inclination of will serves (the supernatural love called) charity. So God’s teaching also quotes philosophers’ perceptions of the truth, though only as extrinsic probable authorities. Its intrinsic authorities are the scriptures (as certain authorities) and the teachers of the church (as probable, since our faith rests not on any revelations such teachers may have received, but on the revelation made to the apostles and prophets who wrote the canonical scriptures).
Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation ed Timothy McDermott (Methuen 1989), p 3.
question: how helpful is this distinction between intrinsic certainty, intrinsic probability, and extrinsic probability in weighing guidance for making moral judgements?
Primordial personhood
Through the revelation of God the moral law is known as the demand of one from whom there is no flight, who respects no persons, and makes no exceptions, whose seriousness of purpose will not suffer that his work be destroyed by the evasions and transgressions of this pitiful, anarchic creature who sets up his little kingdoms in rebellion against God’s sovereignty, and proclaims ever new Messiahs to lead him to new disasters in the name of his own righteousness. Transgressions of our law no longer appear as acts which go against the grain of our nature, or of our social, or biological life; to be sure they do all these things, but primarily they go against the grain of the universe. Transgressions do not merely break the law of conscience or of our society or even of life, but the law of the beginner and perfecter of all that is…The righteousness of God which is revealed in Jesus Christ is the eternal earnestness of a personal God.
H Richard Niebuhr The Meaning of Revelation Macmillan 1941, p 165-6.
question: this is quite a claim; does it mean anything without experience?
Parallels in other cultures
Revelation
Islam
In the beginning, revelations to the Prophet (pbuh) took the shape of clear meaningful dreams [i.e. dreams with a clear message] and visions, while in sleep. Then he [i.e. the Prophet] became fond of seclusion. He started going away from the people to the cave of Hiraa. He would collect the necessary provisions from his wife Khadijah and stay worshipping in the cave for a number of nights in a row, before returning only to replenish the supply of provisions. This went on, until one day, the truth was revealed upon him in the cave. The angel [Gabriel] visited him and directed him: ’Read’. [He would say:] I replied: ’I cannot read’. The angel grabbed me and squeezed me so hard that I could bear it no more. Then he let me free and said: ’Read’. I replied: ’I cannot read’. Once again the angel grabbed me and squeezed me till I could bear it no more. Then he let me free and repeated the third time: ’Read’. I replied again: ’I cannot read’. He grabbed me a third time and said: ’Read, in the name of thy Lord...’. The Prophet (pbuh) returned home, extremely frightened and shaken. He asked Khadijah (ra) to cover him with cloth. Some time later, when his fear reduced, he told Khadijah (ra) of his experience and expressed his concern that some wrong might befall him. Khadijah (ra) said: God shall never let any wrong befall you. You have always been kind in your relations, you have always shared the burdens of the weak, you have always earned for the incapacitated, you have always been hospitable with your visitors and have always been willing to suffer for the right cause. [How, then, can God let any evil befall you?]...
http://www.understanding-islam.org/related/text.asp?type=question&qid=39#_ftnref1
‘Understanding Islam.’ (Revelation to Mohammed from the Sahih Bukhari [Sunnah], Kitaab al-Wahiy.)
Judaism
Revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai is the cornerstone of faith upon which all of Judaism rests. As Maimonides ("Foundations of the Torah" 8:1) points out, revelation is not simply a proof of faith but the perception of the Divine in the most direct way possible. While other miracles served to prove Divine existence, revelation was the experience of the Divine itself. For one brief moment, the curtains of concealment were parted, letting in the rays of the Divine in all its brightness…
The revelation at Sinai created an indelible impression on the Jewish personality, giving us, as a people, a point of reference for all future searches for truth. Thus, all the individual souls of the Jewish people had to be at Sinai –- even a proselyte had to be there (Shevuos 39a). Had we not the memory of Sinai deep within us to drive us in our exhaustive search for meaning and understanding in Torah, we could not persevere in mastering Torah; and we would not succeed. We would be "empty" from ourselves.
It is for this same reason that (as the Talmud tells us) a person learns the entire Torah when in his mother’s womb, even though he is destined to forget it prior to birth; for if he had not first learned the Torah, he would not be able to relate to it later.
http://www.aish.com/holidays/Shavuot/Rediscovering_the_Revelation.asp ‘Rediscovering the Revelation,’ by Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky. (An extract.)
Sikhism
Q. No. 2: Are there prophets in the Bible, or the Vedas, or the Quran, who tell us about the advent of Guru Nanak?
Answer: The question conceals a postulate which Sikhism does not accept as self-evident or demonstrably true. The postulate is that the Truth of Religion is beyond the reach of human perception unless a unique and final revelation of it is vouchsafed by God to mankind through a specially appointed individual. It is the basic postulate of the judaic religious tradition, of the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam that the truths of religions have been exclusively and finally revealed in a unique and final act and at a single point in Space-Time. From this it follows that any new religion or even a new interpretation of religion must be authorised by the evidence already contained in this final and unique act; otherwise, it is a priori errant, a heresy. Sikhism, on the other hand, teaches that the Truth of Religion is ab initio embedded in the heart of man and that its ultimate validity is to be discerned in human experience itself, and not in anything extraneous, though Sikhism admits that there have been, and shall be, extraordinarily gifted persons in whom the Truth of Religion has assumed unusual vividness and thus their revelations and teachings are of immense help to mankind, such as the ten Sikh Prophets, the Gurus.
http://allaboutsikhs.com/articles/two_questions.htm ‘Gateway to Sikhism: The Two Questions.’
Additional Religions
Bahá’í
Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! I testify that Thou wast a hidden Treasure wrapped within Thine immemorial Being and an impenetrable Mystery enshrined in Thine own Essence. Wishing to reveal Thyself, Thou didst call into being the Greater and Lesser Worlds, and didst choose Man above all Thy creatures, and didst make him a sign of both of these worlds, O Thou who ar our Lord, the Most Compassionate!
Thou didst raise Him up to occupy Thy throne before all the people of Thy creation. Thou didst enable Him to unravel Thy mysteries, and to shine with the lights of Thine inspiration and Thy Revelation, and to manifest Thy names and Thine attributes. Through Him Thou didst adorn the preamble of the book of Thy creation, O Thou Who art the Ruler of the universe Thou hast fashioned!
From Bahá’u’lláh’s Kitáb-i-Aqdas (‘The Most Holy Book’), Bahá’í World Centre 1992 Notes p.175 ‘Prayers and Meditations’ by Bahá’u’lláh, XXXVIII.
Native American Religion (Sioux)
Some men spend one day and one night seeking a vision; others spend two, three or even four days and nights. If the vision seeker prays from the heart and pays attention, some message or inspiration will come to him from the spirit world of the Creator. The message may come through any creature or through any happening that the Creator chooses. The message may come through a bird or an animal. It may come with the wind or in a storm. Even ants have brought messages, when the seeker is sincerely listening and waiting. If the Creator wants to speak to us, He can use any thing He chooses…
If the Creator gave the seeker a message or a task, he might keep it secret or he might tell it to everyone. But he must do whatever he heard.
http://www.bluecloud.org/cryingforvision.html ‘Crying for a Vision.’