Because of the neglect and dichotomization in evangelical theology, this dissertation provides an evangelical ressourcement for the external and internal reality of revelation. By using resources from Scripture, the history of the church, and systematic theology, it argues that revelation includes external and internal dimensions that are organically united in the triune God. This construal is clear within the Bible and church history, and its biblical and historical presence carries implications towards the construction of a systematic theology of revelation and a practical understanding within the church. The dissertation argues that revelation is external and internal, whether a revelation occurs objectively to the human person in the form of a disclosure of information (external) or subjectively to the human person in the form of an unveiling of perception (internal). The argument is developed by utilizing a biblical, historical, systematic, and practical theology of revelation. Accordingly, after a brief introduction to the contemporary scene in chapter 1, this dissertation addresses biblical theology in chapters 2 (Old Testament) and 3 (New Testament), historical theology in chapter 4, systematic theology in chapter 5, and practical theology in chapter 6.

In polemical response to the approach represented by Friedrich Schleiermacher, Karl Barth proposes to evaluate religion strictly from the perspective of God's revelation. In spite of this radical departure from Neo-Protestant epistemology, Barth continues to understand religion in Schleiermacher's terms, namely as an essentially anthropological category. The reductionist tendencies inherent in this understanding of religion cause Barth to lapse into his early 'dialectical' concept of revelation with its strong emphasis on the divine transcendence. This, in turn, leads to a radical polarization of revelation and religion which finds expression in Barth's call for and development of a theological criticism of religion. At its core this theological criticism of religion is thus not a new understanding of religion, but rather an assessment of Schleiermacher's view of religion within the framework of Barth's early 'dialectical' theology. The absolute dichotomy between revelation and religion resulting from this approach stands in direct conflict, however, with Barth's affirmation of a positive relationship between these two categories. His attempt, under the term 'true religion', to further develop such a positive correlation between revelation and religion without substantially modifying the meaning of both these terms is consequently flawed with a series of logical contradictions and results in a highly questionable Christian exclusivism. An alternative theological approach to the problem of religion based on christological considerations is found as an undercurrent in Barth's thinking. This christocentric view of religion, although not yet sufficiently developed by Barth himself, is in better agreement with his mature theology than is his 'dialectical' approach. In addition, this alternative proves to be theologically more promising with respect to its logical consistency, its biblical foundation, as well as its importance for the current debate over a viable Christian 'theology of religions'.

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-59).

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-59).

The thesis provides an account of how natural beauty functions as revelation and contributes to theology. The central claim is that natural beauty ‘images' aspects of God's nature and intentions within Creation's artistic ‘text'—admittedly, most fully from within a Christian perspective, but already potentially in any experience of beauty. Chapter One presents an approach to ‘creational theology'—a methodological understanding of how God can be known through the aesthetic rationality shared between Creation and humanity. This understanding of creational theology outlines a relationship between God and created beauty that is developed progressively with each chapter. Chapter Two addresses the created side of this relationship by characterizing the phenomenon of physical, sensory, ‘perceptual beauty.' This perceptual beauty relates to God as a created framework through which God can express aspects of his nature. Chapter Three describes how such expression is apprehended in natural beauty, namely through a Polanyian epistemic vision and symbolic practice, which engages beautiful images within Creation's art. Chapter Four applies this Christian vision and symbolic practice, adapting John Ruskin's concept of ‘typical beauty.' Through this typological approach, beautiful forms artistically image aspects of God's nature and intentions. Extensions of Ruskin's approach also allow for further development of a creational theology of natural beauty—that is, a theology underscoring the powerful interrelations of God, beauty, and humanity, and the need to respond to beauty as a phenomenality of God for his creatures.

Thesis (M.A. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2008 / Refer to document

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-239) / Chapter one begins by introducing and orientating the reader to the study and the purpose of the study, namely the revelation of God. It also opens up what is central to the study by a way of a problem statement concerning this revelation of God, the black church and the human condition. The aims of the study and the research methodology are set out. The chapter ends with a hypothesis concerning the future doctrine of revelation and the prospects of this revelation in the lives of black people. Chapter two entails discussion on God and the church, as it pertains to revelation, starting with a historical account of Christian theology on the subject of revelation. The subject of revelation is engaged on an existential level, particularly the main areas of Christian theology, namely; special and general revelation. This is a section that puts both concepts within black experience, to see the viability for a black ecclesiology and black theology. Chapter two moves on to contend that for black church, there is a serious theological insurgent that is necessary and it is part and parcel of God’s revelation to blacks and the oppressed. This outlook places a section of critical reasoning in South African context and society concerning God’s revelation. Chapter three engages a philosophical meditation, ascribing meditation as a state of self-reflection for the black church and black theology. This meditation is cognisant of black experience and is self-diagnosis concern God and humanity, particularly the dehumanising, (how it must affirm essence and substance). The meditation of the black church engages the concept of absurdity as Camus (1995) (also see Melancon 1983) has posited the absurd as a malaise in the world and silence of the word to that malaise. The absurd is also linked to theodicy, however, the black experience and the encounter with God transcends absurdity and theodicy. As part of the transcending aspect of the black experience, the research considers Western atheism, Christianity and death of God, whose burial is in the mind, souls and bodies of blacks. The chapter then moves on to discuss the black church as a receptor of God’s revelation, the new image of the crucified and the new metaphysics guaranteeing the upliftment of blacks. Chapter four focuses on the black invisibility and the hiddenness of God, it is seeing invisibility and hiddenness as linked together. The chapter also focuses on the need for black visibility rooted in the ontological and physiological expression and experience of being human; Imago Dei. The chapter links black visibility with the concept of whiteness, being a dehumanising political identity imposed on the people of colour. The chapter then translates into the context of visibility, invisibility and God’s revelation within the economic South African context. The final analysis of the chapter is a confession of God’s revelation rooted in God’s visibility and running parallel to that of black visibility. Chapter five proposes that the black experience and the use of the Bible Sola Sriptura, as it reveals the black church as part of church history. As such, it takes the early church’s reading of the New Testament and understanding of Christology through kenosis; the emptying of God to be human and using that paradigm to link Christ’s human experience and the experience of the dehumanising and humanising that of blacks. The chapter concludes with a Christology and black Messiah, who links the secular and divine, general and special revelation. Chapter six concerns the findings of the study, recommendations and conclusion. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)