Visions and conversions

What is a corporeal vision?

of a material nature , physical

What are dreams in terms of visions?

the unconscious state where knowledge or understanding is gained through a series of images or dream-narrative, that would not normally be available to the individual in the conscious state

What are visions?

The ability to ‘see’ something beyond experiences - e.g the vision of an angel, such visions usually convey information or insight concerning a specific tradition

What is an intellectual vision?

a vision that brings the recipient knowledge and understanding

what is a sensory vision?

a vision where external objects/sounds or figures convey knowledge and understanding to the recipient

What can a vision involve?

seeing something supernatural, otherworldly, they may not be able to see what they are seeing, yet they feel like they can see it clearly

What may people use to describe a vision?

size, shape or colour to describe it

What may the vision be?

vivid

sometimes, God appears to someone while sleeping, what is an example of this?

Genesis 28 - Jacob has a dream in which he saw a ladder going up to heaven , from which he learned that he had happened to go to sleep in a holy place where a temple should be built

what is another example of God appearing in someone's dream in the Bible?

Matthew - Joseph is told that he should not be afraid to marry Mary even though she was pregnant with a child that was not his, Joseph was reassured

When are sensory RE experienced?

when someone is awake and conscious , it seems there is an encounter with an external reality that can be experienced using the senses

What is an example of a sensory vision?

Bernadette reported seeing ‘a small young lady’, she could describe what she was wearing, what she said and where she appeared

What can sensory visions be?

corporate - this means several people report being able to see or hear the same thing, e.g. Angel of Mons

Who was Teresa of Avila?

a Spanish nun, mystic and religious reformer

What are the four stages in the ascent of the soul to God, according to Teresa?

• mental prayer and meditation

• the prayer of the quiet

• absorption-in-God

• ecstatic consciousness

In her writings, Teresa identities 3 types of visions, what was the first one?

the corporeal vision - people see with their eyes, the object seems physically real. Teresa and her mentor John of the Cross, did not always trust these, believing them to be presented by the devil

What is the second vision?

the maginitve vision - people see with their minds eye or with ‘eyes of the soul

What is the third type of vision?

the intellectual vision - they gain a deeper understanding about God without actually seeing anything.

Which is the most important vision for Teresa?

the intellectual vision

What are a few issues raised by repost of visions?

• they are private

• they could be considered objective or subjective

• they are beyond our everyday language

who was John and Charles Wesley?

Clergyman of Church of England

What was the disagreement between John and Wesley?

John - sudden conversions, in a moment

Charles - gradual, slowly developing a deeper faith

What caused Charles to change his mind?

had a conversion experience, when hearing preaching from Romans. His heart was warmed

How did Charles change due to his experience?

a new enthusiasm for ministry - from agreeing with Christian teachings to living a life inspired by it, strong sense of the presence of God

What are John and Charles known for today?

founded the Methodist Church

What is the difference between active and passive conversions?

• taking the initiative to look for answers e.g. reading sacred texts, going to events

• does not know they're looking for god, it’s a surprise

What can a conversion experience mark?

total change in person’s belief system - change from faith to no faith, or difference in faith

what is the pattern conversion experiences follow?

dissatisfied with their current outlook on life, searching for an intellectual and emotional level fr something, turning poitn, emotions of peace and relief,long-lasting sense of direction

Explain how Paul in the Bible is an example of conversion experience?

Paul-Saul

Explain how Francis of Assisi is an example of conversion experience?

he high spirited but wasted his time. Dissatisfied by repulsion at ugliness,drew him back from bears and people with leprosy and wanted to be different