The Unity of Theology: The Contribution of Wolfhart Pannenberg

by Theodore James Whapham

This concept of revelation also differs substantially from the approach of Barth and others, who insist the acceptance of the gospel message is an event that completely surpasses human reason and natural preparation. For Barth, faith alone, against all reason, is the only possibility for acceptance of the true gospel.[42] Any reliance upon reason reduces the gospel message to religion, which can only lead to idolatry. Instead Barth, in a manner analogous to modern evangelicalism, insists the Word of God alone is sufficient, and no preparation for this Word by human reason is possible or necessary. Pannenberg argues against this fideistic approach because it, like Schleiermacher’s approach, walls revelation off from the world and history in contrast to the consistent message of Scripture. He is convinced that if the Christian God is a God of history for all humanity (indeed all of creation), then God’s act of self-revelation must be irrevocably open to all—both in its initial prolepsis and its future fulfillment.