Progressive revelation (Christianity)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Progressive revelation in Christianity is the concept that the sections of the Bible that were written later contain a fuller revelation of God compared to the earlier sections. For instance, the theologian Charles Hodge wrote,
"The progressive character of divine revelation is recognized in relation to all the great doctrines of the Bible... What at first is only obscurely intimated is gradually unfolded in subsequent parts of the sacred volume, until the truth is revealed in its fulness."[1]
The ultimate revelation of God is understood to be found in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels. For example, the New Testament is to be used to better understand and interpret the Old Testament. Likewise, all sections of the Bible are believed accurate in conservative Christian theology.
See also
- Progressive revelation (Bahá'í)
- Biblical inspiration
- Continuous revelation
- Dispensationalism
- Direct revelation
- General revelation
- Special revelation
- Supersessionism
- Christian views on the old covenant
References
- ^ Hodge, Charles (2003), Systematic Theology, vol. 1, Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 446, ISBN 1-56563-459-4 (also available as Hodge, Gross, Edward N (ed.), Systematic Theology (abridged ed.), ISBN 0-87552-224-6)
External links
- Barry, Eldr, Progressive revelation: The unfolding of God's revelation (PDF).
- Progressive revelation, An introduction, Religious tolerance.