Topic: Faith & Revelation Notes
Faith and Revelation study outline
Sacred Scripture
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literal translation: “Holy Writing”
A written history of God and God’s people, originally handed down by way of oral
tradition.
Scripture contains unique life stories about everyday people like us.
o Genesis – new birth, beginning or new idea
o The creation stories in Genesis tell us we are “called into being” by God who
loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.
o We are gifted and uniquely created in God’s image.
Our own unique life story is sacred scripture.
Sacred Scripture is the holy writings of God’s people.
For Christians and Jews:The Bible Hindus:The Vedas Muslims:The Koran
Metaphor
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A means of expression that tries to describe a trait or characteristic of a person or
thing.
Because God is not human, we use metaphor to describe our perception and
experience of God.
Revelation
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God’s self disclosure. God making God’s self known to us.
Holy Trinity who is one God, three persons, sharing one nature.
Culture and society both impact our perception of God’s revelation.
Faith
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Trusting and believing in God
A gift given to us at our creation, available to all humans.
Involves both trust and belief, which are compatible and inseparable.
Begins as God invites and we respond. Our religion can be defined as the expression of
our faith
A response can’t be forced from us; it is an act of free will.
Faith is a continual, ongoing interaction between God and us, occurring throughout our
lifetimes.
Does not guarantee us a trouble free life, but promises God’s presence in our
sufferings and struggles.
Faith tells us that if we hang in there and continue to believe that perhaps some good
can eventually come from our suffering.
Agnostic – A person who is unsure of the existence of God.
Atheist – A person who denies the existence of God.
Sacred Mystery – The belief in some kind of power beyond us.
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Sacred Mystery is revealed in and throughout our Salvation History.
Salvation History – The story of God and God’s people.
We come to know God through:
Signs of God’s Existence (The Sacred Mystery)
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Human Reason – Using intelligence, intellect and reason to come to an
understanding of God’s presence.
Sacred Scripture – God’s presence throughout human history is our Salvation
History.
The experience of Nature – Finding God in the immense beauty of all creation.
The experience of ourselves and others as humans – the holy presence of
another points us to the spiritual beginnings of humanity.
Loving and being Loved – a basic fundamental human need. Puts us in touch with
the awesome love God has for us.
Ultimately, our faith response is a choice, when freely given, brings us into a lifelong
relationship with our Creator.
Assigned Readings:
In your Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth: pgs. 20-25,32-37,40-51.