Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 592

668

§ 87.

Christian thinking,

on

WHAT i.e.

IS

DEMANDED BY

[Div. Ill

been at work

scientific theology, has

among

this task for eighteen centuries;

nations; under

all

of constellations. This had to be so, simply because no single nation represents the absolute consciousness of humanity, but every nation, and every period of time, according to their nature and opportunity, has the power and the capacity to do this in a peculiar way and because the natural content of the consciousness, with which this knowledge of God must be placed in connection, continually changes. But amid all these changes the threefold task is ever prosecuted: (1) to determine, (2) to assimilate and (3) to all sorts

;

reproduce the contents of the Holy Scripture. determination covers, indeed, a broad

exceedingly intricate.

The content

of

This task of

and

The pertinent utterances

are, of course, invaluable aids

not.

field,

;

is,

moreover,

of Sciipture

but more than aids they are

lies before you in the which covers centuries, and, there-

the Scripture

form

of an historic process,

fore,

ever presents itself in different forms.

The

Scripture

which must be understood; in symbols and types, which must be interpreted. All sorts of persons make their appearance in strange commingling, one of whom is, and another is not, a partaker of reveals

ectypal theology mostly in

Divine grace.

The

facts,

rule for practice presents itself in nu-

which the general rule Thus what stands written is not merely to be understood as it was meant by the writer, but its significance must be estimated in separation from its accidental connection. The several revelations must be taken in their true unity after the analogy of faith. And, finally, from behind the meaning of the writers there must be brought out the things, which often

merous concrete

applications, from

can only be derived by dint of logical thinking.

they themselves did not perceive, but which, nevertheless, they were called upon to announce to the world, as the mystery of the thoughts of

God

in worked in

their thoughts.

Hence, the free citation of pertinent utterances is lawful; but the person should be considered who spoke them, the antithesis which they opposed, the cause that invited them, as well as the persons to

whom

they were directed.

If this

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