Scripture in the Theologies of W. Pannenberg and D. G. Bloesch: an Investigation and Assessment of its Origin, Nature, and Use
Scripture has played an authoritative role in Christian theology for centuries and has been at the heart of Protestant theology from its beginning. The rise of modern historical criticism, however, has led to a crisis at this very foundation of Protestant theology. In this context this dissertation seeks to set forth, analyze, compare, and evaluate theconcept of Scripture in the theologies of two contemporary Protestant systematic theologians who represent significantly different concepts of Scripture: Wolfhart Pannenberg and Donald G. Bloesch. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction, delineates the objectives, research methodology, and delimitations of the study. This is followed in chapter 2, by an issue-oriented overview of the concepts of Scripture in theology, that have surfaced from the time of the Protestant Reformation onward. This oveview describes the positions of important theological representatives who significantly influenced the concept of Scripture in church history up to the present time. Chapter 3 focuses on Wolfgang Pannenberg's concept of Scripture by first describing his understanding of Scripture's origin, nature, and use; then the second part of this chapter analyzes the theological and anthropological presuppositions which have influenced Pannenberg's concept of Scripture. Chapter 4 treats Donald G. Bloesch's view of Scripture, following the same pattern as in chapter 3. Chapter 5 compares the positions of Pannenberg and Bloesch, evaluating them on the basis of internal consistency. The assumptions and presuppositions upon which the respective positions seem to rest are also taken into consideration. It appears that despite the fundamentally different starting points and other significant differences, Pannenberg and Bloesch nevertheless reveal a number of surprising similarities in their views of Scripture. This would seem to suggest that for both theologians the concept of Scripture is determined ultimately by presuppositions that are derived and shaped extra scripturam.
Comparative Methodologies and Theories, Religion, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
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