Revelation and Experience by Piet Schoonenberg

The author takes an extraordinary “leap” in the beginning of this article where he states: “Expressions such as ‘revelation,’ ‘Word of God,’ and ‘God speaks’ are becoming increasingly more difficult to use…something superfluous, even foreign” (Schoonenberg, 1984, 303). How ironic that statement truly is within today’s mindset of “morally correctness” and within the society’s “tolerant” level for what is considered to be modern morality.
This particular paper emphasizes the rational of the Catechesis within the aspect of “revelation and experience.” The author utilizes very clear and concise ideology within the framework of catechesis. Revelation is important because it is presented as disclosure of a secret or a mystery hidden in God, transcended through humans (prophets). Experience is important because of our time not only is Christian but also this must experience must be converted and saved and allowed to grow more Christian (Schoonenberg, 1984, 310).

It would almost appear that the modern mindset of today’s society is nothing less then a “numbing” sensation towards God. We, collectively as a society, numb ourselves towards the goodness and embrace the “evilness” or those tendencies that are less than desirable for the betterment of society. God speaking to us to correct “our” ways seems very superfluous and foreign. The Christian message, the message of God, has become empty of meaning within our society and within today’s secularization.

We tend not to depend or deepen our revelation of God and unfortunately for us, our experience becomes hampered by the “modern status-quo” of modern society; instead of deepening our faith. No amount of catechesis will change our experience unless we become “open” to the revelation and experience.