The Christological analogy and its implications for understanding the revelation-inspiration process from the Adventist perspective

Abstract

Many Christian scholars have recognized certain parallels between Incamation and inspiration. Both phenomena highlight a mysterious union of the divine and the human. The attempt to understand the revelation-inspiration (R-I) process by referring to these parallels is known as the christological analogy (CA). This analogy has been formulated in different ways and with different results depending on the christological presuppositions of the advocates of the different models. While'some conservative Christians have used the analogy to defend inerrancy, its use by some neo-orthodox scholars has resulted in the undermining of the reliability of Scriptures. Another group of scholars object to the validity of the analogy altogether. Some Seventh-day Adventist scholars make reference to the CA. However, no comprehensive study of the implications of this analogy for the understanding of the R-I phenomenon has been done. Thus, this study seeks to investigate the CA and its implications in order to assess the current views and to suggest a fresh articulation of the concep of R-I from an Adventist perspective. This dissertation provides a review of the origin, history, and different models of the analogy. It also offers an assessment of the two most prominent models in Protestant circles and a proposal of a model based on the Adventist understanding of the person of Christ. Additionally, the Adventist views of R-I and their reference to the CA are evaluated. The last part of the study explores the hermeneutical and theological implications of the CA for the Adventist understanding of the R-I process. This study shows that the CA has significant implications for the understanding of the divine origin and authority, human aspect, functional uniqueness, and inseparability of the human and the divine elements of the Bible. Hence, this research argues that a balanced formulation of the doctrine of Scripture from the incarnational perspective will enrich the Adventist understanding of R-I. Despite its limitations, the CA remains the most helpful analogy for understanding the R-I because of its threefold function as a didactic, evaluative, and organizing theological tool.