prometheus11
Well-Known Member
Is it divine revelation or is it delusion.
On another thread, member Scott C. claimed that there are "drastic differences" between a delusion and a divine revelation. When asked about these differences the reply was delusions are somewhat predictable and cause negative actions but divine revelation causes positive results.
Of course, that answer is unsatisfactory because delusions can cause positive results and aren't always predictable. (The placebo effect and the initial delusions before a clinical diagnosis is provided in the case of a mental disorder demonstrates these truths).
In the case of famous and influential mathematician John Nash, his ability to determine what was real and what was delusion allowed him to take back control of his life and fight a "good fight" against his mental illness. His ability to discern between delusion and reality brought him "back from the brink" of certain personal doom.
But what if he wrong and he was receiving divine revelations through visions from God? How can we (could he) be certain that he was dealing with delusion instead of divine revelation?
In the case of Abraham, who the bible describes as having "great faith," received a "divine revelation" that he should kill his son with a knife on s mountain. Certainly most people would consider that message to be a harmful delusion, today. But how could the believer of divine revelation be sure?
What if such an act would prove the person as "having the faith of Abraham" and worthy of God's blessing through the establishment of an entire nation whose numbers would be greater than the sands on the sea shore sync the stars in the sky.
On another thread, member Scott C. claimed that there are "drastic differences" between a delusion and a divine revelation. When asked about these differences the reply was delusions are somewhat predictable and cause negative actions but divine revelation causes positive results.
Of course, that answer is unsatisfactory because delusions can cause positive results and aren't always predictable. (The placebo effect and the initial delusions before a clinical diagnosis is provided in the case of a mental disorder demonstrates these truths).
In the case of famous and influential mathematician John Nash, his ability to determine what was real and what was delusion allowed him to take back control of his life and fight a "good fight" against his mental illness. His ability to discern between delusion and reality brought him "back from the brink" of certain personal doom.
But what if he wrong and he was receiving divine revelations through visions from God? How can we (could he) be certain that he was dealing with delusion instead of divine revelation?
In the case of Abraham, who the bible describes as having "great faith," received a "divine revelation" that he should kill his son with a knife on s mountain. Certainly most people would consider that message to be a harmful delusion, today. But how could the believer of divine revelation be sure?
What if such an act would prove the person as "having the faith of Abraham" and worthy of God's blessing through the establishment of an entire nation whose numbers would be greater than the sands on the sea shore sync the stars in the sky.