4 - The Nature of Revelation

Summary

Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions of religion, of which truth is only one. There are alleged truths in religion, but it is misleading to say that religions can be true.

Most religions have some idea of revelation or authoritative teaching, but they are very different.

Barth’s view of revelation as God-given, certain, and absolutely authoritative. But revelation is a complex process, involving experience, interpretation, and debate.

Revelation comes to few, is expressed in diverse cultural forms, and is always disputable and disputed.

The Old Testament is part of Christian revelation, but has given rise to different religions and sects.

Barth sees the Hebrew Bible as an incomplete revelation, which was later rejected.

Diverse Interpretations of revelation show that human speculation and reasoning is involved.

The idea of sublimation is not helpful in explaining the alleged difference between religion and revelation.