Revelation and how to crochet
Today I received the latest edition of Reo, the theological journal of the Churches of Christ Theological College (the grand institution at which Phil completed his undergraduate study and I managed not to complete a course of undergraduate study). One article seemed to chime in to some discussions that have happened here from time to time - “Revelation” by Mandy Illingworth. Mandy gives a sensible description of revelation:
The ‘everyday’ experience of revelation is known to most people. It may occur in a trivial context: an example being a sudden understanding of how to crochet after hours of fruitless tuition and attempts. This new understanding however does not appear to be the result of practice or tuition: something just ‘clicks,’ seemingly ‘out of the blue.’ It is occasionally mentioned in the media that while scientists are working on one research assignment, they will ‘discover’ a quite unexpected solution to another problem. Perhaps at the time this solution will feel like a gift, or at least a surprise, rather than the result of hard work. The experience may be humbling, joyous and dramatic at the same time. It is conceivable that in this context such a ‘solution’ (say understanding the aetiology of a particular disease) will change the lives and attitudes of the scientists and those with whom they must share this gift.
In the past on this site, some have suggested that revelation no longer occurs extra-biblically. If so, then Mandy states the following challenge:
If we are closed to revelation however, does this mean we think we know God and what he wants? This is a dangerous proposition which is a threat to theology and the receiving of grace in one’s relationship with God. If we deny revelation, the hidden God in the crucified Christ, would be ever so hard to find “[…] as hidden here,” as he would be in a culture that promotes rampant material gain with the fury of instant gratification while two-thirds world does not have enough food or clean water.
What do you think?