Abstract
Systematic theology regards revelation as a divine discourse between God and us. However, it seems that it does not fully explain how God’s divine discourse transforms our life and what implications it has. Therefore, this article suggests investigating ‘revelation as a discourse of language’ in the light of speech act theory (SAT). If we illuminate revelation as a discourse of language as a SAT, the following three hermeneutical contributions to revelation are expected: firstly, revelation is a ‘communicative act’ between God and believer as a ‘discourse of language’ of God; secondly, it shows how the language of revelation bridges the gap between ‘divine language’ and ‘human language’ in terms of revelation as a discourse of language, and thirdly, it confirms how God’s Word (revelation) is real in the lives of believers. Contribution: While this article engages the traditional theological notion of revelation as a discourse of language between God and humans, it argues that reconsidering this notion in the light of speech act theory. It can explain God’s language discourse transforms the lives of believers and the Word (revelation) is fulfilled in their lives.
Highlights
Contribution: While this article engages the traditional theological notion of revelation as a discourse of language between God and humans, it argues that reconsidering this notion in the light of speech act theory
When revelation is the manifestation of God, it can be said to be the coming of God to believers through the Word
Revelation is not about the hidden information, enlightenment or knowing of God in the propositional statements of the Bible. It is a ‘dynamic practical faith event’ of the Word transcending texts in the ordinary life of believers. It invites the people of God into the presence of God and God’s salvation ministry in the communicative act between a mutually personal relationship
Summary
Contribution: While this article engages the traditional theological notion of revelation as a discourse of language between God and humans, it argues that reconsidering this notion in the light of speech act theory. It can explain God’s language discourse transforms the lives of believers and the Word (revelation) is fulfilled in their lives. If revelation is God’s discourse, it involves a ‘mutual personal communication’ between the God revealed in the Bible and the believer in response to God’s speech act.
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