| Sumario: | Since the late 1980s the theme of Gods self-revelation has been treated only briefly in Christian theology, sometimes simply ignored, sometimes confused with biblical inspiration. This book aims to lay out its basic characteristics, and begins by distinguishing between revelation in the primary sense (a living encounter with Gods self-disclosure) and in the secondary sense (statements of faith derived from that encounter, or propositional revelation). There are chapters on revelation as transforming and informing, as being sacramental or mediated through words and deeds, as communicated through an endless variety of means and mediators, as related to but distinct from biblical inspiration and truth, and as reaching those of other faiths or of no faith at all. The book distinguishes between past (foundational) revelation, present (dependent) revelation, and future (eschatological) revelation. It expands the complex relationship between tradition and scripture. The work moves into controversial areas by insisting that the divine self-revelation takes place only when received by human faith and that outside revelation there is no salvation (extra revelationem nulla salus). This book offers a coherent account of Gods self-revelation, which can serve as a basis for all that follows in theology and for dialogue with those who practise other living faiths or none at all. A carefully selected bibliography enhances the value of this work, which is written with the clear accessibility that readers value in the books of Gerald OCollins. In Revelation he gathers, extends, enriches, and in places corrects what he has proposed in earlier books and articles about the characteristics of Gods self-revelation
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