Knowing God as an Evangelical : towards a canonical-epistemological model

Abstract

Theological knowledge formation occupies a central place in the evangelical theo- logical pursuit. Three models represent the epistemological tendencies of contemporary

evangelicalism: evidentialist foundationalism, proper functionalism, and postfoundation- alism. While giving prominence to the Bible, all these models stop short of establishing a

canonically-based theological epistemology, as the sola scriptura evangelical principle

demands. To address this need, this research outlines a minimal, canonically-derived, the- ological epistemology that may foster a fuller understanding of theological knowledge

formation within evangelicalism. Chapter 1 introduces the background, the problem, pur- pose, significance, and the scope and delimitations of this research, together with a short

terminological clarification, the canonical-epistemological method used, the plan of re- search, and an overview of the previous research on evangelical epistemology.

Chapter 2 reviews the historical background of evangelical epistemology. It starts with the ancient Greek variants and continues with the patristic, medieval, Reformation, and incipient modern periods. To outline the contemporary epistemological variance, Chapter 3 analyzes three representative evangelical models through their highly regarded

exemplars: Norman Geisler (evidentialist foundationalism), Alvin Plantinga (proper func- tionalism), and Stanley Grenz (postfoundationalism). Chapter 4 of this study uses cogni- tive analysis to explore the concept of KNOWING GOD in the Bible through the cognitive- linguistic window provided by two prototypical terms, ידע and γινώσκω. The cognitive

analysis results in seven epistemological implications. Chapter 5 unpacks these implica- tions, outlining a minimal model, called relational-participative, which is then is used to

address the need of establishing a canonically-based theological epistemology.

Chapter 6 summarizes the findings of this research and presents seven conclu- sions. First, a modest form of foundationalism best answers the need of recognizing the

primacy and normativity of Scripture. Second, theological knowledge formation is an

embodied process. Third, theological knowledge formation has a participatory aspect me- diated by human sensory experience which cannot be detached from cognitive processes.

Fourth, theological knowledge formation takes place in history and connects the past to the future through the present covenantal obedience of the community of believers. Fifth, the proposed model emphasizes the communitarian and the individual character of theo-

logical knowledge formation and gives prominence to the need for canonical correspon- dence over any long-lasting tradition. Sixth, the symbols characterizing past covenantal

obedience can foster present theological knowledge formation. Seventh, theological

knowledge formation is also fostered by participating in the centripetal-centrifugal Chris- tian mission framed by a cosmic conflict between good and evil. The chapter ends with

recommendations for further study.