John Calvin and Donald Bloesch on biblical revelation

Revelation

Our senses are so feeble that we could never understand single word that God says to us unless we are illumined by his Holy Spirit for carnal men cannot comprehend heavenly things"

John Calvin (1509-1564).

Introducing John Calvin; Donald G. Bloesch

John Calvin argued that the Christian scriptures must be literally read. "Anything not contained explicitly and literally in these scriptures was to be rejected; on the other hand, anything that was contained explicitly and literally in these scriptures was to be followed unwaveringly."

Known as a fierce and imposing reformer, Calvin, a lawyer who became a preacher, dedicated his efforts to reform of the church. His opportunity occurred during the 1520's when the citizens of Geneva revolted against their rulers. Today, Calvin, some contend that even more than Martin Luther, created the patterns and thought that in time, came to dominate Western culture. In fact, Calvin reportedly, literally transformed Europe's philosophical, political, religious, and social landscape.

Scripture, Donald G. Bloesch believes, does not depict a set of divinely revealed propositions. He argues that if so this would elevate the words of human to divine status, and in turn, rob the majesty of God. Mann recounts that Bloesch contends: "Scripture is the instrument or medium of revelation (like a light bulb but not the light itself; scripture is inspired, and it is infallible (he does not like the word innerency)." Bloesch teaches that even though the Bible is not faultless, it is not capable of teaching deception. During this thesis, which presents particular perceptions Donald Bloesch and John Calvin purport in regard to the topic of "revelation," the researcher asserts:

Donald Bloesch and John Calvin diametrically disagree on the topic of revelation.

As this thesis considers; compares; contrasts the various contentions of Bloesch and Calvin, the researcher:

Demonstrates a comparison of Donald Bloesch and John Calvin on revelation, i.e., as the researcher also considers how and why these two men disagree.

Relates a second section of this thesis (antithesis) which documents objections to, as well as, identifies qualifications of Bloesch's and Calvin;s individual teachings on revelation.

Critically evaluates (synthesizes) the objection to or qualification of the teachings

Bloesch and Calvin relate on a particular point or theme in revelation.

The Thesis a thesis constitutes the proposition the researcher states or presents for consideration; especially one to be discussed and proven, or maintained against objections. A thesis in the logic sense of "a proposition, statement the researcher proposes to prove "is first recorded 1579; that of 'dissertation written by a candidate for a university degree' is from 1653."

At times, the thesis may be contained in a topic sentence. During this study, the researcher demonstrates a comparison of Donald Bloesch and John Calvin on Revelation, i.e., to explore the thesis purporting that Bloesch and Calvin dramatically disagree on the topic of revelation.

The researcher also considers how and why these two men disagree.

The Antithesis the term "antithesis" denotes the direct opposite of something; for example the antithesis of wrong is right. From the Greek "antitithenai" which means "to set against, oppose." In logic: "Anti - 'against' + tithenai 'to place,' from PIE base *dhe - 'to put, to do'."

An antithesis serves as an interpretive method, initially implemented to "relate specific entities or events to the absolute idea, in which some assertible proposition (thesis) is necessarily opposed by an equally assertible and apparently contradictory proposition (antithesis)."

When the antithesis and thesis are compared, the mutual contradiction may be reconciled on a higher level of truth by a third proposition, known as the synthesis.

During this thesis, the researcher relates a number of references to the antithesis, which documents objections to, as well as, identifies qualifications of Bloesch's and Calvin;s individual teachings on Revelation.

The Synthesis, which means "to put together," evolved from the Greek word "sunthesis," which evolved from "suntithenai."

As noted earlier in this paper, during the final section of this thesis, the researcher critically evaluates (synthesizes) the objection to or qualification of the teachings Bloesch and Calvin relate on a particular point or theme in revelation.

Defining Revelation

The word "revelation" occurs 10 times in 10 verses in the KJV.

The Greek meaning for "revelation" includes:

laying bare, making naked disclosure of truth, instruction a. concerning things before unknown b. used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all manifestation, appearance

CONCLUSION

From the study completed during this thesis, the researcher notes that Calvin perceived that all humans do not instinctively worship the true God. Bloeshch, on the other hand, opens himself to all religions.

Bloeschs, unlike Calvin is critical of Scripture. Calvin purports Scripture to be God's word, to be read literally.

Both Bloeshch and Calvin, note the value of revelation. Both men also agree upon the primary focus of the revelation of God. Both men, although as the thesis purports, diametrically differ on revelation, per se, as well as how it occurs, both agree that the revelation of God is seen in Jesus Christ.

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A van der Kooi, Cornelis. Donald Mader, Translator. As in a mirror: John Calvin and Karl

Barth on knowing God: a diptych. BRILL, 2005. Available at http://books.google.com/books?id=mwpfxCAQCDkC.Internet. Accessed 11 March 2009.

Donald G. Bloesch. Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration & Interpretation. InterVarsity Press, 2005; Introduction; available at http://books.google.com/books?id=dYP2yehSASoC;Internet. Accessed 10 March 2009.

Richard Hooker. John Calvin. World Civilizations Home Page, 1999; available at http://wsu.edu/~dee/REFORM/CALVIN.HTM;Internet. Accessed 11 March 2009.

Mark Mann. Donald G. Bloesch: Mann Quick Notes. 1997; available at http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/courses/mwt/dictionary/mwt_themes_829_bloesch.htm#Donald%20G.%20Bloesch:%20Mann%20Quick%20Notes;Internet. Accessed 10 March 2009.

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A thesis. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian; available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thesis;Internet; Accessed March 11, 2009.

A antithesis. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2006; available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antithesis;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

A antithesis. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian; available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antithesis;Internet. Accessed 09.March 2009.

A antithesis. Random House, Inc. available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antithesis;Internet. Accessed 09.March 2009.

A antithesis. Random House.

A synthesis. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2006; available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synthesis?qsrc=2888;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

A synthesis. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian; available at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synthesis;Internet. Accessed 09.March 2009.

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for '"revelation" in the KJV." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 11 Mar 2009; available at http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?

Criteria=%22revelation%22&t=KJV; Internet; accessed 10 March 2009.

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for apokalypsis (Strong's 602)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 11 Mar 2009; available at http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G602&t=KJV;Internet. Accessed 10 March 2009.

Donald G.

Bloesch. "Deconstructing Evangelicalism: Conservative Protestantism in the Age of Billy Graham." The Christian Century, 31 May 2005, 39+. Database online; available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=500955342;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

Mann.

Bloesch. Holy Scripture... Introduction.

Bloesch. Holy Scripture... p. 15.

Bloesch. Holy Scripture... pp. 14-15.

Bloesch. Holy Scripture... p. 15.

Engelsma, David J. Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration & Interpretation. InterVarsity Press, 1994; available at http://www.prca.org/prtj/apr96e.html#analysis;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

David J. Engelsma. www.prca.org/prtj/nov2005.htm" the Last Things: Resurrection, Judgment, Glory, by Donald G. Bloesch. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 2004; available at http://www.prca.org/prtj/nov2005.htm;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

Cornelis van der Kooi; Donald Mader, Translator. As in a mirror: John Calvin and Karl Barth on knowing God: a diptych. BRILL, 2005; available at http://books.google.com/books?id=mwpfxCAQCDkC;Internet. Accessed 11 March 2009.

A van der Kooi, p. 40.

David C. Steinmetz. "Creator God: The Debate on Intelligent Design." The Christian Century, 27 December 2005, 27+. Database online; available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5014438373;Internet. Accessed 6 March 2009.

Steinmetz.

Mann.

Hooker.