Divine Covenants and Revelation: Core Concepts

Key Religious Concepts Defined

Understanding Prophets and Call Stories

What is a Prophet?

A spokesperson for God.

Examples: Moses, Ezekiel.

The Call Story: Divine Invitation

A series of narratives detailing God's calling of individuals and entrusting them with a mission.

Covenant: A Sacred Agreement

A sacred agreement or solemn promise.

Revelation: God's Self-Disclosure

The act of God revealing Himself and His ethical principles.

How God is Revealed

• The Prophets: God's self-revelation to prophets.
• Nature: Through changing seasons and the natural world.
• Sacred Scriptures: Through which the actions of God in human history are revealed.
• Jesus: Through whom God fully revealed Himself.

The Nature of Human Relationship with God

Life at its core is a relationship with God. Humans, by nature, are oriented towards another, even when isolated.

The Power and Impact of Divine Naming

When God's name is invoked or revealed, it carries significant consequences:

• The name itself has profound consequences.
• It is a mark imbued with power.
• It results in a new way of living.
• It is a source of judgment.

Key Traits of a Covenant

• Preamble: A treaty beginning with the name, titles, and attributes of the ruler.
• Historical Prologue: A review of the previous relations between the two contracting parties.
• Stipulations: Contains conditions to be met by the lesser party.
• Witnesses: Consequences if the lesser party remains unfaithful or faithful to the demands of the treaty.
• Blessings & Curses: Outcomes based on adherence or non-adherence to the covenant.

Six Patterns of a Call Story

• Confrontation with God: An initial encounter with God.
• Introductory Speech: God speaks first, announcing who He is.
• Imparting a Mission: God outlines the identity and mission of the prophet-to-be.
• Objection by the Prophet-to-Be: Due to personal incapacities, the prophet fears their mission might not be accepted by people.
• Reassurance by God: The prophet’s word is taken over by the Lord’s word.
• The Sign: A confirmation of the authenticity of the mission.

The Ten Words: Decalogue and Our Relationships

These commandments describe our relationship with God and with others.

Understanding Sin: Transgression and Pride

• Sin is a transgression against God and the covenant.
• It means realizing that when standing before God, our actions do not measure up.
• It points to a heart filled with pride and the refusal to regard the other.
• Sin turns a person away from God.

God, Ethics, and the Three-Way Relationship

The Three-Way Relationship: God, Self, and Others

This relationship involves God, oneself, and others.

There is an inseparable connection between loving God and loving one’s neighbor. As one increases, so should the other. God loves us with a passion known as “salvation history.” God’s covenant goes beyond the realm of human reason and understanding, bridging reason and revelation.

The Commandments: Living a Godly Life

First Commandment: Prioritizing God

• Don'ts: Idolatry, divination.
• Dos: Put God first before anything else.

Tenth Commandment: Avoiding Covetousness

• Dos: Be poor in spirit, practice humility.
• Don'ts: Envy, materialism.

Covenants Throughout Revelation History

• Abraham: Worship only God.
• Moses: Love God.
• Jesus: Love of God and one’s neighbor.

Covenant: Path to a Good Life

Covenants bring us closer to a good life. Life itself is a covenant with God. The covenant with Moses resulted in liberation from slavery, leading to eternal life. This covenant is evident in nature, people, the Bible, and the Church.

The Ongoing Challenge of Covenant

The covenant presents a challenge, and it raises up its prophets. The world has not always kept the covenant. We are called to be the Body of Christ in the world.