Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    One of the reasons I am attracted to Quakerism is its believe in
    "continuing revelation".  Quakerism does not believe that divine
    revelation is confined to the Bible, but rather believes that the same
    Spirit that inspired the Bible speaks to us today.  Different Quakers
    place different emphases on the relative importance of the Inner Light
    and the Bible as sources of revelation.  As a Quaker Universalist, I do
    not believe that divine revelation is restricted to Christianity.

    Philosophically, I am also attracted to  process theology, which speaks
    of the Divine Lure, offering possibilities to us at each discrete
    moment, appropriate to that moment based on the current circumstances. 
    Thus while God is constant in His/Her goodness, the revelation offered
    varies over time.  I believe that process theology provides a
    metaphysical and cosmological basis for a doctrine of continuing
    revelation.

    Other faiths have different views on the subject.  For example, while I
    am not a Roman Catholic (so my understanding may not be completely
    accurate), I understand that the Roman Catholic Church believes that
    the Spirit continues to reveal itself through the Church as an
    institution that was founded by Christ.  I am not sure how the RCC
    views revelation outside of the Catholic Church, or whether it accepts
    that revelation can even occur in any other context.  I believe that
    some brands of Protestantism believe that divine revelation was closed
    with the writing of the New Testament, although I believe that some
    denominations (such as Methodism?) may view other forces that take
    place over time (including the use of reason) as being of importance in
    the development of theological understanding.

    Discernment is, of course, another question.  I agree with Whitehead's
    critique of what he calls the "dogmatic fallacy", and I believe that
    there are several sources of discernment--reason, experience, the
    worshiping community.  For some denominations, there are different
    approaches.  The Roman Catholic Church, as I understand it, asserts its
    final authority on matters of doctrine for its members.  For some
    (including some Quakers), the Bible is the final test of authority.

    The questions of divine revelation, final authority, the role of the
    Bible, and religious pluralism seem to me to be very much interrelated.

    -- Mike
    

    
    Of course we have Islam which came after the bible, which is claimed to
    be a Divine Revelation to the Prophet Muhammed, and from what it looks
    like, how it has florished and grew, it seems to be true.  So I believe
    Divine Revelation continues, but not necessary for Christians, or the
    followers of Christ.  Jesus said something about "Not one jot or
    tittle..." referring to the fulfillment of the bible before [further
    revelations come].  This seems to address new revelations for the
    collective.
    
    I do, however, also believe in "individual" revelations, as we come
    into the knowledge of the true meaning of what Jesus or the bible says. 
    As it is written, "No man cometh to God unless it be given him of God,
    and also "the Holy Spirit will lead thee into all truth", thus I
    conclude there is an "individual" Divine Revelation ongoing by the
    Holy Spirit.  But again, this is not any "new" revelations, but the
    revelation of true understanding of the Bible.
    
    Playtoe

    Divine revelation is a continuing process imho.  I am not so sure
    though that these revelations are "new" in an absolute sense.  
    They may be new to be person who is experiencing them however.  
    
    For myself divine revelations continue to unfold in my life and 
    serve to deepen and expand the divine revelations that have come 
    before it.  The revelations come through a variety of ways:  prayerful
    meditation, drumming, quiet walks in nature, dreams, moments of insight
    and inspiration, and through significant coinciding events referred to
    as synchronicity.
    
    I know they are divine revelations when they reveal a deeper 
    understanding and experience of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
    
    Karen

Indeed, I agreed that God continues to reveal Himself to us in many ways.

Although I do not agree with the classic argument of why the canon of
Scripture is closed (I Cor 13 that the "perfect" has come), I do have
serious doubts as to whether any Scripture has been or will be written
since the 1st century.

Collis

    re: 4
    
    Please restate...I'm not clear on what you're saying.

    Also see 18.176.
    
    Richard

    The book of called "Acts" or "The Acts of the Apostles" has no closing,
    no ending statement.  To me, this is very telling.  It says to me that
    it was not intended to be closed, that it was not intended to be
    restricted by the imposition of an ending, but rather, to have chapters
    appended as the Spirit so moved, even unto the present.
    
    Peace,
    Richard

    God chose to reveal himself and to make known to us the hidden purpose
    of his will (cf. Eph 1:9) by which through Christ, the Word made flesh,
    man has access to the Father in the Holy Spirit and comes to share in
    the divine nature (cf. Eph. 2:18, 32 Pe 1:4).

    Through this revelation, therefore, the invisible God (cf. Col 1:15,
    1 Tm 1:17)... speaks to men as friends (cf. Ex 33:11, Jn. 15:14-15) and
    lives among them (cf. Bar. 3:38) so that he may invite and take them
    into fellowship with himself

    This plan of revelation is realized by deeds and words having an
    inner unity;  the deeds wrought by God in the history of salvation
    manifest and confirm the teaching and realities signified by the words,
    while the words proclaim the deeds and clarify the mystery contained in
    them.  By this revelation then, the deepest truth about God and the
    salvation of man is made clear to us in Christ, who is the Mediator and
    at the same time the fullness of all revelation.

    Constitution on Revelation, Second Vatican Council