Berkouwer's concept of the depth-aspect of salvation may be viewed as a
serious attempt to understand the complex problem of the relation of
human language to divine revelation. It need not be dismissed as a
denial of what Scripture says. It may be regarded as an interpretation
of what Scripture says, an attempt to understand what a particular
passage teaches in relation to the "entire Biblical message" (Divine
Election, p. 18). The recogniton of a depth-aspect of salvation need not
involve a denial of Biblical authority. We may regard it as a way of
asking the question, "Is this what the Bible is really saying?", a way
of developing a penetrating analysis which recognizes that we must make a
clear distinction between Scripture itself and theological
interpretations of Scripture. This distinction emerges directly from the
nature of human language, the precise meaning of which is not
immediately evident in its reference to God.
E J Young argues that one’s doctrine of Scripture is derived from either experience or Scripture, either natural man or supernatural God. Young does speak of the human character of Scripture. It does, however, seem that the supernatural-natural dichotomy underlies his doctrine of Scripture. He turns to the Bible “to discover what it has to say of itself” (p. 40). It is questionable, however, whether his view is not grounded in a notion which tends to set divine and human activity over against each other. Young rejects a mechanical theory (p. 65). It does, however, appear that his own view is really no more than a modification of this view. His interpretation of the working of the Spirit in the inspiration of Scripture is not directly identifiable with mechanical dictation (pp. 79-80). It does seem, however, that there is a tendency to move in that direction. * Here are some statements from Young. - “Without Him (God) there could have been no Bible. Without man th...
Comments
Post a Comment