Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 351

Chap.

RELATION OF THEOLOGY TO

§ 65.

I]

ITS

OBJECT

327

theology, since otherwise either the unity of our theological

thinking tion.

is

To

lost,

us

or the integrity of our theological convic-

who

members

are

of the

Reformed Churches is, the knowl-

the more exactly defined object of theology

edge of God, as given in the Reformed or purified confession.

The Relation of Theology

§ 65.

to

Object

its

Knowlknown. Knowledge of God is inconceivable, except it is imparted to us by God Himself. This knowledge, given us by nature in our creation, has been veiled from and darkened in us by the results Consequently it now comes to us in the form of a of sin. special revelation, and we have received the divine illumination, by which we can assimilate the content of that revelaAnd science is called in, to introduce this knowledge tion.

Thus

edge of

of

thought has run smoothly.

far the course of

God is the crown

of all that can be

God, thus revealed, into our human thought.

Just here,

however, a very serious misinterpretation is possible, which must needs be prevented. It can be represented that it is

God

only science that places the revealed knowledge of

In which case

Avithin the reach of the pious.

it is

science

that investigates the special revelation; the results of this investigation are gradually is

established

is

the knowledge intellectualistic

more

fully established

brought to the knowledge of

God

of

way

is

made

universal.

;

all

that which ;

This

and thus entirel}'"

excludes, meanwhile, the spiritual ex-

perience of the Church in

Taken

its

entirety, as well as of indi-

way, scientifically theologstudy must have preceded all faith, and the knowledge of God would only have come within our reach after theology had as good as finished its task. This, however, is inconceivable, since theology is born of the Church, and not the

vidual believers.

in this

ical

Church

of theolog5^

suo'fure

Reflection does not create

life is first, after

And

which

life,

reflection speaks its

but

word

life became manifest and as the result of Revelation practical spiritual knowledge of God had been the rich possession of thousands upon thousands, long before the idea of

concerning in

the

it.

Church

of

thus spiritual

Christ,

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