Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Relational theology became a major voice in the theological conversations of \nthe twentieth century and now in the twenty-first century it is poised to become the \nmajor influence in doctrine of God discussions. Relational theology argues for a \nmodel of God that emphasizes a dynamic interaction between God and the cosmos. \nReformulating the divine nature contra Classical theism, Relational theology instead \nincludes images of God as sympathetic, mutable, limited in power and knowledge, \ncreative, and as a risk-taker. The assertion is that such images or metaphors for the \ndivine are necessary rightly to understand and discuss God's relationality with the \nworld. This thesis argues that given the relational nature of God the metaphor of faith \nshould be added to the list of God's attributes. \nThe thesis begins by discussing issues of methodology then reviewing \nRelational theology in the forms of process and open theism as contrasted with \nClassical theism. This is followed by explorations of various depictions of faith as \nfound in the Old Testament and New Testament. Faith is also examined theologically \nand philosophically as including the elements of belief, trust, hope, and risk. It is then \nargued that faith has a decidedly relational nature in that faith most properly takes \nplace between persons. \nThe crux of the thesis is the development of a theology of divine faith. \nBecause humans are free, God is limited, and creation has a purpose, the argument is \nmade that God relates to the world through faith. A case for God's faith is developed \nexegetically and logically through explorations of the concepts of divine belief, trust, \nhope, risk, and doubt, concluding that faith is a necessary inclusion for Relational \ntheology. \nFinally, two primary Church doctrines, creation and christology, are explored \nthrough a theology of divine faith. God demonstrates divine faith in bestowing an \nevolving creation with both freedom and a purpose. God has faith in the creation to \nproduce persons who can freely share faith and love with God. The fully kenotic coming of Jesus Christ demonstrates the Father's faith in the Son, the second person \nof the triune God. The coming and death of Christ also reveals God's faith that the \ncross will be efficacious in reconciling those who have abused their God-given \nfreedoms.
Author: William Curtis Holtzen
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1587788947