# How does The Age of Reason develop the theme of Reason vs. Revelation?

> The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

## Answer

The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine develops Reason vs. Revelation across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Paine argues that true religion is based on reason and the observable creation, not on claimed revelations, miracles, or mysterious doctrines found in scripture.

Paine contrasts his own deist faith, based on reason and the creation, with the claimed revelations of the Bible.

Paine contrasts reason with the hearsay nature of revelation, arguing that only firsthand divine communication can be considered revelation.

Paine applies reason to critique the resurrection story, demanding public evidence for supernatural claims and rejecting hearsay.

## Evidence

- [the-age-of-reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/the-age-of-reason.md): Paine contrasts his own deist faith, based on reason and the creation, with the claimed revelations of the Bible.
- [part-i-ii-of-missions-and-revelations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-ii-of-missions-and-revelations.md): Paine contrasts reason with the hearsay nature of revelation, arguing that only firsthand divine communication can be considered revelation.
- [part-i-iii-concerning-the-character-of-jesus-christ-and-his-history](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-iii-concerning-the-character-of-jesus-christ-and-his-history.md): Paine applies reason to critique the resurrection story, demanding public evidence for supernatural claims and rejecting hearsay.
- [part-i-iv-of-the-bases-of-christianity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-iv-of-the-bases-of-christianity.md): Paine uses reason to deconstruct the Christian fable, highlighting its inconsistencies and reliance on earlier myths.
- [part-i-v-examination-in-detail-of-the-preceding-bases](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-v-examination-in-detail-of-the-preceding-bases.md): Paine contrasts rational examination with the credulity induced by religious education and emotional enthusiasm.
- [part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament.md): Paine distinguishes between true revelation (direct divine communication) and the Bible's historical tales, which he deems hearsay.
- [part-i-viii-of-the-new-testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-viii-of-the-new-testament.md): Paine argues that revelation cannot apply to anecdotal accounts and that reason is the true gift from God.
- [part-i-x-concerning-god-and-the-lights-cast-on-his-existence-and-attributes-by-the-bible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-x-concerning-god-and-the-lights-cast-on-his-existence-and-attributes-by-the-bible.md): Paine asserts that reason alone can discover God's existence, while revelation (as in the Bible) is insufficient and often misleading.

## Links

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- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
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