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Is the Bible the Only Revelation from God?
Bible.org ^
| 2005
| Greg Herrick
Posted on 02/24/2011 2:33:41 PM PST by Natural Law
Introduction
Has God made himself known only in the Bible and/or Jesus? Are there any other ways in which He has revealed himself to us? If so, how? What is the nature, extent, and value of that revelation and how does it compare with the knowledge we have of God through Christ and Scripture? Does everyone inherently know God? If so, in what way(s)? These are just some of the questions we will treat in this brief paper.
Our use of the term “revelation” comes from the Greek term ajpokavluyi" (apokalupsis) and means “to uncover, reveal, disclose,” or “make known” (cf. Rom 16:25; Rev 1:1).1 Therefore, in terms of divine revelation, it is God making himself known to the objects of that revelation, e.g., angels and people. The fact that God must make himself known in order for us to know him is necessary since we are finite and he is infinite, and we are sinful and he is holy.
Those that have studied revelation have suggested that Scripture affirms a two part division to God’s revelation, namely, (1) general, and (2) particular. Some have used the terms (1) general, and (2) special. General revelation refers to God making himself known in creation, providentially orchestrated history, and conscience (i.e., in conjunction with the moral law).2 Thus, it is general in the sense that it is equally available to all men and women, everywhere, all the time, and is less specific information about God than one acquires in special revelation. Special revelation refers to God making himself known through special acts (e.g., signs and miracles), appearances, Christ, and Scripture.
TOPICS: Catholic; Orthodox Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: apostolictradition; catholic; caucusremoved; orthodox; solascripturacaucus; truth
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To: Natural Law
As I learn more about my Catholic Faith, I feel closer to God and feel his presence and guidance. I especially feel him when receiving His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
This was an article I read and kept (but forgot to keep the web page reference).
According to a Polish blog, the Metropolitan Curia of Bialystok has announced the results of the investigation of an Ecclesial Commission appointed by Archbishop Edward Ozorowski on March 30, 2009. The original post (in Polish) can be found here.
Father Andrzej Kakareko, Chancellor, writes that on October 12, 2008, a consecrated Host fell out of the hands of the priest distributing Holy Communion. The priest had it picked up and placed in the vasculum in the Tabernacle. After Mass, the vasculum and its contents were transferred to the safe in the sacristy.
Seven days later, after opening the safe, a red stain was seen on the Host. Ten days afer that, the vessel with the Host was transferred to the Tabernacle in the chapel of the rectory. The next day, the Host was removed from the water and placed on the corporal in the Tabernacle.
On January 7, 2009 a sample from the host was sent to the University in Bialystok for analysis. According to two medical professionals, professor Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska and professor Stanislaw Sulkowski, the sample, in their opinion, most resembled the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living organism.
As part of its investigation, the Commission interviewed witnesses and pathomorphology experts. The Commission determined that there was no third-party intervention. The case has been forwarded to the Apostolic Nunciature in Warsaw.
While unusual in this day and age, the Church has a long history of Eucharistic miracles. The Vatican International Exhibition’s “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” documents more than 130 worldwide miracles of the Eucharist, demonstrating that Jesus Christ in the Eucharist – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – continues to make his presence manifest at unique times and places in history.
Perhaps the most famous and well-known, is the Miracle of Lanciano, which occurred about 750 A.D. It bears repeating as it closely resembles the alleged Polish miracle. During Mass, the celebrant doubted the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. During the consecration, the Host transformed into flesh and blood. Subsequent investigations confirmed the authenticity of the human tissue. An investigation, as late as 1970, found the flesh to be cardiac tissue and the blood to be type AB.
Eucharistic Miracle
Lanciano, Italy 8th Century A.D.
Ancient Anxanum, the city of the Frentanese, has contained for over twelve centuries the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. This wondrous Event took place in the 8th century A.D. in the little Church of St. Legontian, as a divine response to a Basilian monk’s doubt about Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.
During Holy Mass, after the two-fold consecration, the host was changed into live Flesh and the wine was changed into live Blood, which coagulated into five globules, irregular and differing in shape and size.
The Host-Flesh, as can be very distinctly observed today, has the same dimensions as the large host used today in the Latin church; it is light brown and appears rose-colored when lighted from the back.
The Blood is coagulated and has an earthy color resembling the yellow of ochre.
Various ecclesiastical investigation (”Recognitions”) were conducted since 1574.
In 1970-’71 and taken up again partly in 1981 there took place a scientific investigation by the most illustrious scientist Prof. Odoardo Linoli, eminent Professor in Anatomy and Pathological Histology and in Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy. He was assisted by Prof. Ruggero Bertelli of the University of Siena.
The analyses were conducted with absolute and unquestionable scientific precision and they were documented with a series of microscopic photographs.
These analyses sustained the following conclusions:
The Flesh is real Flesh. The Blood is real Blood.
The Flesh and the Blood belong to the human species.
The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart.
In the Flesh we see present in section: the myocardium, the endocardium, the vagus nerve and also the left ventricle of the heart for the large thickness of the myocardium.
The Flesh is a “HEART” complete in its essential structure.
The Flesh and the Blood have the same blood-type: AB (Blood-type identical to that which Prof. Baima Bollone uncovered in the Holy Shroud of Turin).
In the Blood there were found proteins in the same normal proportions (percentage-wise) as are found in the sero-proteic make-up of the fresh normal blood.
In the Blood there were also found these minerals: chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.
The preservation of the Flesh and of the Blood, which were left in their natural state for twelve centuries and exposed to the action of atmospheric and biological agents, remains an extraordinary phenomenon.
21
posted on
02/24/2011 4:15:36 PM PST
by
ADSUM
(Democracy works when citizens get involved and keep government honest.)
To: ADSUM
I'm not sure whether miracles are revelations or reinforcement, but I have no doubt they are real. I really feel sorry for those whose faiths are so void of miracles. It does not speak of an absence of God, only an absence of faith.
To: Natural Law
23
posted on
02/24/2011 4:41:58 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
Comment #24 Removed by Moderator
Comment #25 Removed by Moderator
To: Salvation; Religion Moderator
Did Martin Luther Act Infallibly in Defining What Books Belong in the Bible? Is it safe to assume the glass has been broken?
26
posted on
02/24/2011 7:28:16 PM PST
by
Gamecock
(The resurrection of Jesus Christ is both historically credible and existentially satisfying. T.K.)
To: Religion Moderator; Salvation
What was the reason for Salvation’s post #23 being removed?
To: Natural Law
Post 23 was removed because it mentioned Martin Luther which would be a non-member to the original caucus tag.
However, the caucus tag was removed altogether because the thread is involved in a "flame war by article." Therefore, I will restore 23.
A similar "flame war by article" happened years ago when posters on both sides were posting sex scandal articles.
The solution will be similar, caucus threads that appear frivolous or part of the flame war will either be pulled or the caucus tag removed.
To: Religion Moderator; Natural Law
So if I were to take the part about Luther off — then it could be a Catholic/Orthodox Caucus?
Is that what you are saying?
It’s all about the Catholic Bible — even Luther’s statement, so I don’t quite understand why it would be objectionable.
29
posted on
02/25/2011 8:18:27 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: Salvation
It’s too late for this thread to be redeemed but if you post the list on a Catholic/Orthodox Caucus be sure to leave the infallibility of Luther out of it.
To: Religion Moderator
"However, the caucus tag was removed altogether because the thread is involved in a "flame war by article." The Sola Scriptura caucus tag has not been removed from the same original article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2678416/posts
I initiated a Catholic Caucus thread for the article so that Catholics could discuss the article inclusive of Tradition and Apparitions. I trust the lack of fairness and balance was an oversight on your part.
Comment #32 Removed by Moderator
To: Natural Law
I initiated a Catholic Caucus thread for the article so that Catholics could discuss the article inclusive of Tradition and Apparitions. I trust the lack of fairness and balance was an oversight on your part. The other one wasn't posted by Catholics, so its ok.
Comment #34 Removed by Moderator
Comment #35 Removed by Moderator
To: Natural Law
36
posted on
02/25/2011 8:46:24 PM PST
by
narses
( 'Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.')
To: Religion Moderator
"It’s too late for this thread to be redeemed but if you post the list on a Catholic/Orthodox Caucus be sure to leave the infallibility of Luther out of it." For the record are references to Doctors of the Church like St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis de Sales, and similar pre-reformation figures prohibited in non Catholic caucuses?
To: Natural Law
Yes, for the same reason Moses can be quoted in these caucuses: Jewish/Noachide, Catholic/Orthodox, LDS, Sola Scriptura, Dispensational, Non-denominational.
However, the caucus cannot be used as cover to attack the beliefs of non-members.
To: Religion Moderator
"However, the caucus cannot be used as cover to attack the beliefs of non-members."This is extremely confusing subject, particularly in light of the seemingly arbitrary definitions and guidelines and the inconsistency of enforcement. Please help to clarify a few questions:
Where does the exclusion of non-members from the discussion of nondenominal issues and general news stories fall in terms of attacking belief and attacking because of beliefs?
Are discussions of Luther's origins as a Catholic clergy and his deathbed wishes to reestablish Communion with the Church off limits in Catholic Caucuses?
To: Natural Law
At the moment there is a flame war being conducted by posting frivolous caucus articles. When ANY moderator determines the caucus is not legit, he will remove the caucus tag or pull the thread altogether.
Where does the exclusion of non-members from the discussion of nondenominal issues and general news stories fall in terms of attacking belief and attacking because of beliefs?
"Non-denominational" is a caucus which includes Non-Denominational Churches and Independent Baptists. Mentioning their beliefs would be inappropriate on for instance, a "Catholic Caucus."
General news stories or subjects which are not theological per se (philosophy, science, culture, archeology, etc.) may be appropriate for a caucus - e.g. the "Dispensational Caucus" often discusses prophecy v. current events.
If we were not in the middle of a "flame war by article" non-theological items would usually be legitimate for a caucus. At the moment, if they appear to be part of a flame war, they will be pulled.
Are discussions of Luther's origins as a Catholic clergy and his deathbed wishes to reestablish Communion with the Church off limits in Catholic Caucuses?
Non-caucus members would have an interest in the discussion of Luther's beliefs and so the caucus thread should be opened for such a discussion.
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