Summary
In Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation, Dr. Swain explores how the Triune God draws sinners into communion with Himself through the ministry of the Word. He demonstrates that Holy Scripture, which is the Spirit-inspired witness to and means of divine self-disclosure, occupies a central role in God’s redemptive economy. Reading these Scriptures, therefore, is not only a reasonable response to God’s saving acts, but a necessary expression of covenantal obedience and participation in Christ through the Spirit.
The meta-focus of the entire work is a reflection upon the theological nature of the Bible and biblical interpretation (pg. 1). Specifically, it is a theological discussion on the roles that Scripture and its interpretation play in God’s communication to and communion with humanity. The foundation of this inquiry rests on the premise that God is a communicating God and His covenant communication is the avenue through which He pursues friendship with us (pg. 16). God purposes to make “friends with us” takes an unfolding, historical and progressive shape. Hence, Swain’s goal is to understand how the Word and its interpretation function within this “friendship making” purpose. This friendship making purpose is briefly traced through the unfolding kingdom drama: creation, redemption, consummation. In Act I, humanity ‘throws off’ friendship with God through sin, yet, a word of redemption is given. Act 2 is that redemptive scheme which progresses through Abraham, Moses, and David, and climaxes in the Word. God’s covenantal word has created, redeemed and will finally consummate the world in Act 3.
Specific Reflection
Why did God take so long to reveal His redemptive purposes, using the course of time to unfold these purposes? Why not just reveal everything all at once? Vos posits that the knowledge of God in Christ is too great and far transcends our ability to receive it all at once. God’s plan was to sum up everything in Christ, which required a long historical process. Our redemption was one for the fullness of time (Eph. 1:10), the revelation of such an economy thus took time to unfold. This progressive revelation is a unified revelation that speaks the same word, albeit in progressive tidbits throughout the ages. In every age and through diverse means God has communicated Christ “who is the same yesterday and today and forever” (pg. 25). The unifying principle of progressive revelation is accounted for by its final form — Jesus Christ.
Key Terms: Communication, Communion, Covenant, Historical Progression
Key Figures: Heinrich Bullinger, Geerhadus Vos, Scott W. Hahn
