The Meaning of Revelation

by H. Richard Niebuhr, Richard H. Niebuhr

H. Richard Niebuhr's The Meaning of Revelation is a masterful examination of a central theological concept. Probing the relationship between revelation and personal experience, Niebuhr defines revelation as an "illuminating center" - a center that makes our individual and communal lives intelligible and helps shape personal and group identity. First published in 1941, this classic text has deeply influenced theological movements that still prevail over forty years after his death. This new edition is now enhanced with an introduction by Douglas F. Ottati, which sets The Meaning of Revelation in the context of Niebuhr's other writings and explores its enduring significance.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1967

About the author

Helmut Richard Niebuhr was one of the most important Christian theological-ethicists in 20th century America, most known for his 1951 book Christ and Culture and his posthumously published book The Responsible Self. The younger brother of theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, Richard Niebuhr taught for several decades at Yale Divinity School. His theology (together with that of his colleague at Yale, Hans Wilhelm Frei) has been one of the main sources of post-liberal theology, sometimes called the "Yale school". He influenced such figures as James Gustafson and Stanley Hauerwas.

Reviews

[Ryan Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ponderous, dense, tedious, with some worthwhile insights. Overlong and I feel it could have been distilled into an essay. The treatment is too abstract and philosophical to provide much in the way of concrete applicability. What it seems to boil down to is that revelation of God in Jesus discloses the true value of the self and in so doing allows us to realize the value of other selves in community. This can serve to reorient our understanding of the past and broaden our future horizons. Great thoughts but the treatment is interminable.

[John Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know, but it didn't seem that Niebuhr really puts forward a theology of revelation so much as discusses the problems of theologies of revelation. Because of that perspective, there's little meaningful that one can chew on later.

[Jonna Higgins-Freese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my mind -- in the sense of renovated my mind -- when I read it in class with Jerome Soneson, a great teacher at the University of Northern Iowa.

[Dave Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic and absolutely critical source for the subject of the meaning of revelation. Niebuhr provides a broad overview of the relevant issues, and provides a concise argument for how revelation must be perceived in order to apply both to historical event and ongoing human experience. He argues for revelation as a distinctly Christian idea anchored in a distinct and specific Christian history. Although this Revelation, as the divine revealing of God Himself, is evident in the world around us, it can only be truly understood within repentance and forgiveness (conversion). In this sense, in the act of forgiveness and repentance we come to "understand what we remember and remember what we have forgotten", the continual action of revelation in its essence.

He discusses the relevance of internal and external history, the internal being the focus of revelation as the recognition that a historical event (Jesus Christ) resulted in the changed lives of the person who encountered the external act in a physical sense. He sees this as common practice in the application of any historical event in which ideas and realities that apply personally do not demand one to have direct, physical interaction with author of an idea. The Church through the ages need not be witness of a physical event in order to encounter this internal history. Further, he suggests that this internal history is not bound by or interpreted through an individual but rather through a community, and community by nature is unified by a common memory shaped by a historical action. This leads one to understand the nature of self as revealed only through an "other", which in the definition of the Church is Christ Himself who came to reveal the Father. Therefore revelation is the revealing of God Himself so that in Him we can understand the self. We can only understand and recall the story of the Christian life on a personal level by "analyzing what Christians see from their limited point of view in history and faith", and in so doing come to know what revelation "ought to mean for all men, everywhere and at all times".

The challenge for Niebuhr I think remains in applying this to the ongoing function of community as the expression of the divine revealing in individuals. He has a passion to see a unified body, as it is only in the unified body that we can understand the nature of the divine. But a unified body has through all of history found resistance in ongoing human experience. He sets what I believe is the right track in suggesting that we cannot understand Christian thought in the great men (and women) of faith by seeing their interpretation of revelation in the influence of the great men/women who came before them (the adoption of John Wesley by Anglicans and the adoption of Calvin by Zwingli for example). Ultimately all must be traced back to the person and action of Jesus Christ as a historical and revelatory external event that shaped the inner history of those who encountered it. But the more difficult assertion is showing this in practical and historical example. The farther removed we get from a historical event the more difficult it is to navigate the nature of divine revelation and it's impending impact on the community of the Church.

Niebuhr maintains the a discussion of revelation may be one of the most important discussions regarding the Christian faith. He speaks of the challenges posed by the modern intellectualism and rationalism, but also contends that rationalism in itself is entirely limited. He also speaks of the ongoing movement and perspective of conversion to which revelation plays a key role in defining emphasis between faith and works. His mantra unfolds as one which proclaims "our past is our present", the foundation upon which he looks to see the challenge of rationalism and experiential (or religiousity) faith. It is an admirable notion indeed, even if it faces some great challenges. Highly recommended read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small but incredibly valuable volume for those convinced that narrative is the key for how we understand ourselves and the Bible. Also a provides helpful reflection of the many discontents that have continued to beset Christian thought (both Liberal & Conservative) since the rise of modern biblical/theological scholarship. I heartily recommend it.

[ETF · Rating 4 out of 5]

A layered read with roots for pacifism and radical social justice. Also a wonderful read for putting oneself to sleep. If you're like me, you'll need to read it at least 3 times before you have any idea what Mr. Niebuhr is trying to say. But it's worth it.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focuses on the problem of relativism in religious knowledge. This will challenge all that you think you know. A must read.

[Rena Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful book--and one of my favorites from my seminary reading list.

[Katy Bedford]

An amazing book that discusses what revelation is for the Christian community today.

[Rob Fennell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good read; a little dense; a little dated. The last chapter was the best of all.