Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 83 No. 3, 2013.
Review article
Can the Word of God Mediate Faith Today?
Mario Cifrak
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The issue of mediating faith by God's Word today will be answered by posing the theses based on Paul's theology. In the first thesis we encounter two basic elements: listening to the Gospel and to the Word of God, which is related to the two texts written by Paul: Rom 10:14-17 and 1 Sol 2:13. The last one provides us with further key terms: paraclesis and faith. The second thesis deals with the obedient faith (see Rom 1:1-7). Paul tells us here about his apostolate among nations for the »name« of Jesus Christ. Paul's mission is to make room for such kingdom by his own proclamation and by contributing to the Lord's glorification, i.e. to deter people from idols (see 1 Sol 1:9; Gal 4:8ss). The Law, too, is considered by Paul as a pagan element (see Gal 4:8ss); therefore, the third thesis rather chooses faith over the Law, since faith establishes an entire life on God's mercy (see Rom 9:33; 10:11). This also applies to us today. Namely, it is the one and the same God who reveals himself in Jesus Christ and to whom refers the Scripture (see 2 Cor 3:14.15; Rom 11:8). Thus the Scripture becomes the new, current and relevant Word of God, which is capable of saving all nations by God's merciful incentive.
Keywords
Word of God; paraclesis; faith; today; Holy Scripture; Paul's theology
Hrčak ID:
109819
URI
Publication date:
25.10.2013.
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