Theology Thursday: Peter Jensen’s theological method

Ten years ago I was part of a group which met to read and discuss Peter Jensen’s book, The Revelation of God. The impact on me was profound: Jensen develops a doctrine of revelation which is truly evangelical – based upon the gospel.

Most approaches to this doctrine begin with certain assumptions which are imported from outside of the gospel. Jensen graciously and persuasively argues that a better way is to begin with the gospel. God has spoken the truth to us in Christ and made promises that come with his power. This is the starting assumption for the book. And it’s brilliant!

Myers’ article offers a brief summary, positive evaluation and critique of Jensen’s work. Myers clearly is in sympathy with Jensen’s approach, and highlights a number of key ways in which this evangelical understanding of revelation is superior to any other approach.

That said, Myers also raises a number of concerns he has with the book – specifically he argues that Jensen’s definition of ‘the gospel’ is too narrow: Jensen focuses on the propositions about Christ; Myers suggests ways in which the gospel is bigger than this – that it is about the Trinitarian God giving himself to us – and that this understanding allows for significant improvements to Jensen’s approach.

The critique was the part of the article I enjoyed least. Jensen is a hero of mine; at times Myers’ argument was slightly dense and his regular references to Karl Barth failed to warm my heart. That said, the questions he raised were thought provoking and have left me thinking a bit more clearly about what we mean when we say, ‘This is the Word of the Lord.’

Whether you’ve read Jensen before, and want to freshen up your thinking, or haven’t read it and want to whet your appetite, this article is worth a read.

Read it here: Myers, Benjamin, Theologia Evangelii: Peter Jensen’s Theological Method – Churchman 118/ 1 (2004): 27–45