Definition of Theophany
In Christian theology, a theophany is related to encounters with deities. As per this week’s resources, this term can be defined as the invisible God’s way of revealing Himself to those believing in His power (“Genesis, part I: Protology,” n.d.; “Genesis: Part II,” n.d.). According to the Bible, God can show His presence by taking on diverse forms, ranging from fire pillars to earthquakes (“Genesis: Part II,” n.d.).
Fascinating Aspects of Theophanies in the Old Testament
From my perspective, the fact that God’s theophanies in the Old Testament did not necessarily have to include a human form to work as planned is a fascinating discovery. Specifically, He would often present himself as a seemingly inanimate natural phenomenon. Despite that, the most devoted believers, such as Abraham, would still feel the creator’s power and respond to His theophanies with endless trust (“Genesis: Part II,” n.d.). Therefore, God’s theophanies accentuate His tremendous ability to influence the minds without presenting Himself as a living being.
Modern-Day Revelations of God’s Presence
God’s interaction with humanity in the post-biblical period is a thought-provoking question. In my opinion, nowadays, God reveals His presence through the already existing Scripture by providing people with valuable insights regarding moral guidance and standards of behavior and reasoning. Reading the Bible thoughtfully may expose the person to the previously unnoticed instances and applications of God’s wisdom, with the opportunity to explore God’s will instead of witnessing direct theophanies.
Personal Experiences of Divine Revelation
I have never experienced anything that could be classified as an individual revelation, with God seeking to give any sign to me personally. Nevertheless, despite the lack of such encounters, I still feel His presence when praying or observing the endless harmony of nature and the interactions between diverse living beings. With that in mind, God’s approaches to communication with modern people might be highly complex, with believers supposed to decode significant messages using their intelligence.
References
Genesis, part I: Protology. (n.d.). [PowerPoint slides].
Genesis: Part II. (n.d.). [PowerPoint slides].