1. The Models of Revelation
A quick overview of
Avery Dulles’ work.

2. Similarities of the Models
Revelation is God’s free action whereby he communicates saving truth to humankind, especially through Jesus Christ as accepted by the apostolic Church
As witnessed by the Bible
As witnessed by the continuing community of believers.

3. Contradictions
Simply note that each model in its “pure form” provides severe contradictions to the specifics about Revelation.
(We’ll go over them later. Or see supplemental powerpoints.)

4. Options of what to do… A. Choose one model B. Flip-flop between models
And get its weaknesses
B. Flip-flop between models
And have an inconsistent theology
C. Harmonization
And experience contradictions
D. Innovation
A “new approach” that incorporates the best but leaves behind the worst.

5. The Symbolic Mediation
A quick overview of
Avery Dulles’ work.

7. Thesis
Revelation never occurs in a purely interior experience or an unmediated encounter with God.
It is always mediated through symbol

8. I. The Meaning of Symbol
Symbol as an externally perceived sign that works mysteriously on the human consciousness so as to suggest more than it can clearly describe or define.

9. Not an Indicator

10. Not a cipher
Like words or diagrams
5 x 10 = 50

11. Symbol It is a special type of sign
IT IS NOT
an indicator
or a conventional cipher.
Allow us to bring indefinite number of memories and experiences into a kind of focus
Requires full, conscious and active participation

12. Symbol Defined
A sign pregnant with a plenitude of meaning which is evoked rather than explicitly stated.

13. Note about Symbol
This isn’t “fictitious representation.” Most people think FAKE, but NOT in academic understanding.
Don’t restrict it to “literary understanding.”
Natural objects, historical persons, visible artifacts and dreams can all be symbols.

14. Revelatory Symbolism in Scripture
Old Testament
The miracles of Exodus
Theophanies of Sinai,
The “still, small voice” Elijah heard
The great visions of the Prophets

15. Revelatory Symbolism in Scripture
New Testament
The Life of Jesus introduced in highly symbolic circumstances of his conception and birth
Start of his public ministry (Baptism)
Passion, death and Resurrection

16. Revelatory Symbolism in Scripture
The teachings of the prophets, of Jesus, and of the apostles are symbolic in form.
E.g. The Kingdom of God
(note: Scripture presents that Jesus never did define it)

17. Common Properties of Symbolism and Revelation
Gives participatory knowledge
Has a transforming effect
Powerful influence on commitment and behavior
Introduces us into realms of awareness not normally accessible to general communication

18. Participatory Knowledge
A symbol speaks to us only insofar as it lures us to situate ourselves mentally within the universe of meaning and value which it opens up to us.
(Makes you stop and think, even wrestle with the symbol)

19. “Symbols are places to live, breathing spaces that help us discover the possibilities that life offers…every symbol deals with a new discovery and every symbol is an open-ended action, not a closed-off object.”—Nathan Mitchell

20. Transforming Effect Occurs insofar that it involves the knower.
It does something to us when we engage it.
“Wow, that’s deep...”

21. Powerful Influence to commitments and behavior
Stirs the imagination, releases hidden energies in the soul, gives strength and stability to the personality.
E.g. A National Flag or anthem

22. A New awareness It gives rise to thought.
“Opens up levels of reality which otherwise are closed to us” –Paul Tillich

23. Revelation does these 4 things
Gives participatory knowledge
Has a transforming effect
Powerful influence on commitment and behavior
Introduces us into realms of awareness not normally accessible to general communication

24. Participatory Knowledge
To accept the Christian revelation is to involve oneself in a community of faith and thus to share in the way of life marked out by Jesus.

25. Transforming Effect
Christians come to perceive themselves as personally related to God.
Adopted members of God’s family and household.

26. Powerful Influence to commitments and behavior
The response to Revelation (faith) must express itself in conduct.
FAITH IN ACTION.

27. A New awareness
Revelation obviously gives insight into mysteries that reason alone cannot make sense of.
It’s still intelligible nonetheless.

28. Examples of Christian Symbolism

29. Examples of Christian Symbolism

30. Examples of Christian Symbolism

31. Back to the Five Models Revelation as Propositional (Literal)
History (Acts/deeds of God)
Inner Experience
Dialectical Presence
New Awareness

32. Point and Summary
The best way of understanding the concept of revelation is by “symbolic mediation.”
It makes use of the strengths of each model and overcomes their weaknesses.
Symbol can be understood as “a visible sign of an invisible reality.”
Sound familiar?

33. Reflection
Communication theorists tend to say that “communication is symbolic.”
Experts say that in our communication:
10% is in actual words
30% is in sounds
60% is in the nonverbal
How is all of this insightful for our faith? 33