The Nature of the Divine (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
1/290Still learning
Know0
Define special revelation.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (29)
Define special revelation.
When God reveals Himself directly to an individual or group in a personal, unique way — e.g. through visions, hearing God's voice, or receiving a holy book.
Define Tawhid.
The Muslim belief in the oneness of Allah — that there is no partner or equal to Allah; 'He is Allah, the One and Only' (Surah 112:1).
Give three qualities Christians believe God possesses.
Omnipotent (all-powerful), omnibenevolent (all-loving), just, omniscient, transcendent and immanent.
Give an example of special revelation in Christianity.
The conversion of Saul (Acts 9) — he saw a blinding light, heard Jesus speak, became Paul and a leading missionary; or the Transfiguration of Jesus.
What is the key example of special revelation in Islam?
The revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) via the angel Jibril over 23 years — the final and most perfect revelation.
Define a vision (special revelation).
A form of special revelation in which a person sees or experiences something supernatural — often a message from God, a saint or an angel, in a dream, prayer or state of ecstasy.
What is the difference between a corporeal and an intellectual vision?
A corporeal vision is a physical appearance seen with the actual eyes; an intellectual vision has no image but a deep spiritual understanding or insight from God.
What did St Bernadette see at Lourdes in 1858?
18 visions of the Virgin Mary; she was told to dig, and a spring of healing water was found — making Lourdes a major pilgrimage site.
What happened in Muhammad's (pbuh) first revelation?
While meditating in the Cave of Hira, the angel Jibril appeared and commanded 'Read!' (Iqra) — a corporeal vision beginning the Qur'an's revelation.
Define enlightenment.
A state of spiritual awakening and deeper understanding of the true nature of reality — a direct, personal experience of the divine, often through inner transformation.
How is enlightenment a form of special revelation?
It is a direct, personal experience of the divine that gives knowledge beyond human reason or senses — though, unlike visions, it may not involve seeing or hearing anything.
In Buddhism, how did Siddhartha Gautama attain enlightenment?
Under the Bodhi tree, gaining insight into the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it — a deep personal realisation, not a revelation from God.
In Islam, the belief in the oneness of Allah is called ______.
In Islam, the belief in the oneness of Allah is called Tawhid.
Why are visions important to Christians and Muslims?
They may be seen as proof of God's existence, lead to conversion or strengthen faith, offer guidance and comfort, and support belief in a personal God who interacts with people.
True or False?
Enlightenment in Buddhism is a revelation given by God.
False.
In Buddhism, enlightenment is a deep personal realisation about the nature of suffering — not something revealed by God.
Define omnipotent.
All-powerful — shown by God creating the universe; 'Nothing will be impossible with God' (Luke 1:37).
Define omnibenevolent.
All-loving — God created humans in his image and gave his only Son; 'God is love' (1 John 4:8).
Define immanence.
God's presence within his creation — present everywhere while remaining distinct from it; 'above all, and through all, and in you all' (Ephesians 4:6).
Define transcendence.
God being beyond and above creation, outside human experience and understanding; 'so are my ways higher than your ways' (Isaiah 55:9).
How is God's quality of being just shown in the Bible?
God gave Moses the Decalogue, and in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats judges people by how they treat others; 'Let justice roll like a river' (Amos 5:24).
What is the difference between a personal and an impersonal God?
A personal God has human-like characteristics and can be related to through prayer; an impersonal God is beyond human understanding with no human characteristics.
Why does God's immanence matter to believers?
It gives God awareness of and compassion for our suffering and sin, and the belief that God is present provides comfort.
How does the existence of evil challenge descriptions of God?
It raises the question: 'If God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, why does evil exist?' — natural disasters, wars and disease seem inconsistent with an all-loving, all-powerful God.
Give an apparent contradiction between God's attributes.
If God is omniscient (knows the future), do humans really have free will? Or: if God is transcendent, how can he also be immanent and personal?
How does religious pluralism challenge descriptions of God?
Different religions describe God differently (e.g. the Trinity in Christianity vs Tawhid in Islam), raising the question of which idea, if any, is correct.
How does human language pose a challenge to describing God?
Describing God in human terms (father, king, shepherd) may limit understanding of a being beyond human comprehension; in Islam, Allah is 'beyond comparison' (Qur'an 42:11).
God being ______ means He has always existed and always will, and is not limited by time.
God being eternal means He has always existed and always will, and is not limited by time.
How does belief in God's omnipotence affect a Christian's life?
They show determination and resilience in difficulty, trusting that God has a plan for everyone and being guided by him.
True or False?
Science is sometimes used to challenge the description of God as an omnipotent creator.
True.
The Big Bang and evolution explain the origin and development of the universe without needing an omnipotent creator.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or