The Models of RevelationThe Models of Revelation

A somewhat in-depth view A somewhat in-depth view

Of Avery Dulles’ work Of Avery Dulles’ work

The Models of RevelationThe Models of Revelation

• Revelation as – Propositional (Literal Words)– History (The Acts of God)– Inner Experience (Mysticism)– Dialectical Presence (Hegelian Paradox)– New Consciousness (Self-participation)

Model 1:Revelation as Model 1:Revelation as Proposition Proposition

• Aka the Doctrinal Model

• Long standing history

• Prominent with Conservative Evangelicalism and Catholic Neo-Scholasticism

Doctrine ModelDoctrine Model

• Maintains that supernatural revelation is given in the form of words having a clear propositional (doctrinal) content.

• It comes to us in a clear body of doctrine.• Most literally the Bible, Tradition and the

magisterial teachings of the Church. – Every word of it.

Strengths and Weakness?Strengths and Weakness?

• Biblical? Witness in Tradition?– Evident in teaching of prophets, apostles– Body of Doctrines and Dogmas

• Clear and apparent, black and white.– No Doubt

• Propositional and sensible; “Scientific.”– Example: This is the premise, therefore that.

CriticismCriticism

• Bible doesn’t claim such propositional infallibility for itself.– Nor did ancient or medieval exegetes.

• Modern Biblical Scholarship– Doesn’t account for “historical-criticism”

• Dis-avows “theology has a sociology.”• Does not account for Biblical imagery or

symbolism of the Tradition.• Exclusive, esp. in Ecumenical Dialogue.

Model 2: Revelation as Model 2: Revelation as HistoryHistory

• A response to the Doctrinal Model of Revelation

• Popularized by Biblical Theologian: Oscar Cullman, referred to by Pope Benedict XVI

• Prominence in Mainline Protestantism

Historical ModelHistorical Model

• An emphasis on “event” or “actions” of God as opposed to the “words”

• The event yields the supernatural significance, seen especially through the eyes of faith.

1. The naked event occurs for the believer and nonbeliever

2. The disclosure of the divine plan to the prophet3. Event is put in context of the rest of “salvation

history”

ApplicationsApplications

• The Bible is revelation – Not because it accurately recounts history

from a human point of view– BUT because it NARRATES and

INTERPRETS the action of God in history.

• The Bible is a collection of STORY, not doctrine

Strengths and Weakness?Strengths and Weakness?

• Biblical and witness in the Tradition?– “Actions speak louder than Words.”– Picks up Biblical themes missing from Doctrinal Model

• Model is more Organic and Dynamic, refers to the pattern of God’s love in history (honors sociology).

• Allows for gray• Less authoritarian, Critical thinking encouraged

CriticismCriticism

• Is there a disconnection between God’s Word and Action?

• What about the Books of Wisdom?– That’s not history or events

• Modern Biblical Scholarship: Bible is NOT written as a strict history (as we understand it today)

• No witness to early Tradition• Lastly: WHAT is an “act of God”?

– This needs clarification

Model 3: Revelation as Model 3: Revelation as Inner ExperienceInner Experience

• A response to Enlightenment’s attack/critique on Religion.

• Popular among “Born Again” Christians– Perhaps among young Catholics

• Liberal Protestantism, Mystical Catholicism

““Mystical” ModelMystical” Model

• Recognizes “experience” as the basis of existence. Therefore, religious experience is the basis of Religion.

• The Experience of Grace.

• God speaks to us directly.– Bible, Tradition are not revelation until God

speaks to us in experience.

Strengths and Weaknesses?Strengths and Weaknesses?

• Biblical or witness in Tradition– Appeal to the Holy Spirit in Scripture

• Revelation is not a science, it’s a different type of truth. Not factual or conceptual knowledge.

• Supports Catholic Mystical tradition and devotion.

• Common ground with other religions.

CriticismsCriticisms

• Selective use of the Bible.

• Users of this model fell back to the first or second models.

• What determines the Bible as authoritative? What about other religious texts? – (e.g. Koran, Hindu and Buddhist texts)

• Individualistic, relativistic and syncretic.

Last CritiqueLast Critique

• Experience has to be interpreted.

• There’s clearly a sacramental element to revelation. Model does not account for this. It’s definitely NOT either, or.

Model 4: Revelation as Model 4: Revelation as Dialectical PresenceDialectical Presence

• Response to Liberal Theology and the “Quest for the Historical Jesus.”

• Developed around World War I.

• Attempts to utilize other models.

• Theologians that used this method eventually abandoned it.– (Bultmann, Barth et al)

Dialectical PresenceDialectical Presence

• God reveals himself, but he’s also concealed. ABSOLUTE MYSTERY.

• “Paradoxical.” Presence in absence. Words can’t sufficiently express.

• Culminates in Christ, the ultimate expression of revelation.– Bible or Tradition isn’t Revelation in true

sense except insofar it preaches Christ.

StrengthsStrengths

• Biblical and witness in Tradition? – Barth and Bultmann were leading Protestant

Theologians. Biblically centered. Influenced Protestant thought after 1920s.

• Not worried of scientific inquiry:– Faith is not plausible, nor doesn’t have to be.– What historical research finds doesn’t matter.

• Acknowledge God as ABSOLUTE MYSTERY. Accounts for His “transcendence and immanence.”

Critique: No one liked it.Critique: No one liked it.

• Conservative and Orthodox theologies displeased with its circumventing of clear teachings.

• (Early Century) Liberal theologies didn’t like its implicit appeal to the authority of Scripture.

• Exclusive. Christocentric which doesn’t help ecumenical dialogue.

More CritiquesMore Critiques

• Catholic principle of “Faith and Reason” is ignored. This model throws out Reason.

• The Historical Jesus must be taken into account for a genuine faith.– Faith guided by reason– But reason within the bounds of faith

• The theologians that used this method abandoned it for the other models.

Model 5: Revelation as Model 5: Revelation as New AwarenessNew Awareness

• Derived from subjective idealism of the nineteenth century. Philosophically, traced to transcendental idealism of Kant.

• Elements of Rahner, Tillich and Vatican II (Though not entirely).

New ConsciousnessNew Consciousness

• Revelation as a participation in the divine life.

• Subject not passive (like in other models), but actively.

• Revelation “occurs when human powers are raised to their highest pitch of activity.”– Like a radio finding the reception of God.

StrengthsStrengths

• Biblical and Witness in Tradition?– Gospel of John? Vatican II’s Pastoral

Constitution.

• Flexible, avoids questions of history, honors sociology, honors the “subject.”– Full active participation of person

• Looks at history as “evolutionary.”

CritiquesCritiques

• Hardly Biblical

• No foundation in EARLY Tradition

• Potentially Relativistic

• Individualistic

• “A new Christian Gnosis”—Karl Barth– He didn’t like this model

Questions for considerationQuestions for consideration

• What model have you identified yourself into?

• How does the “symbolic mediation” approach rescue each model?