Reference no: EM133669690
Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding
1. Using Flannery O'Connor's short story ("Revelation") to provide a central feature of a theology of revelation, Daniel Migliore suggests that "revelation is not something that confirms what we already know. Migliore goes on to explain this further and give some biblical examples of revelation that is a breaking-in on human beings. He later says, "When God is revealed, everything is seen in a new light".
What do you think of the idea that revelation does not confirm what we already know? Interact with Migliore's point here.
2. What are theologians attempting to do by using the language "hidden and revealed" when related to God?
3. Avery Dulles wrote a book that compared five models of revelation (called Models of Revelation). Briefly state and then summarize each model as Migliore has outlined them.
4. Migliore offers four principles for interpreting Scripture (pg. 55-65). Summarize these four points in your own words.
Chris Hall, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers
5. In the chapter on "Sacred Scriptures," Chris Hall notes that Irenaeus battled the Gnostics around the year AD 200. The Gnostics taught they had received a secret revelation in some form and that it was superior to Scripture or the tradition of the Christian Church. Not everyone can learn or know of this knowledge, they say, but only those qualified to understand it. Irenaeus counters their thinking by focusing on the authority of the apostolic tradition as based in Scripture.
Chris Hall summarizes Irenaeus' thoughts with these words: "The mark of heretical teachers is that they believe only they have discovered the truth" (223).
Some people suggest that we have a similar challenge in the Church today with a gnostic-like attitude in which some folks sense they have a special word from the Lord. How might you address such people using Irenaeus' model?