Tonight, we continued to learn the 5th model of Revelation proposed by Fr. Avery Dulles, S.J. This model approaches revelation as new awareness. According to this model, "... revelation is a transcendent fulfillment of the inner drive of the human spirit toward fuller consciousness. Far from reducing the subject to passivity, revelation occurs when human powers are raised to their highest pitch of activity. Rather than going beyond experience, revelation is itself an experience of participation in divine life." (Dulles 1983, pg. 98). In the PowerPoint summary of this model presented by Fr. Peter Choy, "salvation is the fulfillment of human nature".
Of course, the PowerPoint was only a summary statement. I raised the issues about still-born infants, about human nature, complaining that those poor infants do not have the opportunity to fulfill their life and human nature sounded too abstract and universal. Fr. Choy clarified that by "human nature", he meant the life of each and everyone of us. When we lead a fulfilled life, we obtain salvation. He supported his statement with the parable of the Talents in Matthew. Therefore, even for still-born infants, their life is fulfilled. Moreover, salvation is a process, not a state. We reach this state only when we finish our life on earth. Some finish early like those infants and some finish late.
Returning home, I did my daily reading and came to the story of the Philistines defeating the Israelites and capturing their Ark.
The Bible is ambiguous in the identity of the initiator of the battle, Israelites or Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1). Initially, the Israelites were defeated and 4000 men were killed on the battle field (1 Samuel 4:2). Then the elders of Israel suggesting bringing out the Ark, the presence of God, to battle with them.
And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD put us to rout today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that he may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies." (1 Samuel 4:3)
They did and the Ark was accompanied by the two notorious sons of Eli, their blind priest (1 Samuel 4:4).
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded (1 Samuel 4:5).
"All Israel" suggests that this was a great battle participated by all the 12 tribes. Perhaps the Ark of Covenant was a kind of token to call upon all tribes to arms. The prospect seemed good because the Philistines were afraid (1 Samuel 4:7). They knew of the mighty work God had done for the Israelites in Egypt and were in great dismay (1 Samuel 4:8). However, they suddenly changed their attitude.
Take courage, and acquit yourselves like men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; acquit yourselves like men and fight (1 Samuel 4:9).
In the end, the Philistines defeated the Israelites, killing 30000 foot soldiers (1 Samuel 4:10) and capturing the Ark of covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). Obviously the scale of the second battle was far greater than the first.
The Bible is ambiguous in the identity of the initiator of the battle, Israelites or Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1). Initially, the Israelites were defeated and 4000 men were killed on the battle field (1 Samuel 4:2). Then the elders of Israel suggesting bringing out the Ark, the presence of God, to battle with them.
And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD put us to rout today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that he may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies." (1 Samuel 4:3)
They did and the Ark was accompanied by the two notorious sons of Eli, their blind priest (1 Samuel 4:4).
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded (1 Samuel 4:5).
"All Israel" suggests that this was a great battle participated by all the 12 tribes. Perhaps the Ark of Covenant was a kind of token to call upon all tribes to arms. The prospect seemed good because the Philistines were afraid (1 Samuel 4:7). They knew of the mighty work God had done for the Israelites in Egypt and were in great dismay (1 Samuel 4:8). However, they suddenly changed their attitude.
Take courage, and acquit yourselves like men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; acquit yourselves like men and fight (1 Samuel 4:9).
In the end, the Philistines defeated the Israelites, killing 30000 foot soldiers (1 Samuel 4:10) and capturing the Ark of covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). Obviously the scale of the second battle was far greater than the first.
Comparing the Israelites with the Philistines, there is a temptation for me to ascribe revelation to the Philistines but not the Israelites! Don't misunderstand me. I do not ascribe it by victory but by the way the two troops responded to the situation.
After the initial defeat, the Israelites did not analyze the causes of their defeat. They were lazy and brought out a token of God to fight the battle for them. At the same time, they made a fatal mistake of amassing a huge army to fight this battle. They forgot the modus operandi of God. God prefers to fight battles with a few men so that the victory is ascribed to God and not to men.
On the other hand, the Philistines were driven to despair. But they took courage and acquitted themselves like men. They knew the work of the God of Israel. They raised their powers to the highest pitch of activity to fight. They fulfilled the inner drive of their spirit and transcended their despair. In so doing, they experienced revelation. The victory was decided and they won the trophy, the Ark of Covenant. Indeed, God reveals to all men, Christians or non-Christians.
After the initial defeat, the Israelites did not analyze the causes of their defeat. They were lazy and brought out a token of God to fight the battle for them. At the same time, they made a fatal mistake of amassing a huge army to fight this battle. They forgot the modus operandi of God. God prefers to fight battles with a few men so that the victory is ascribed to God and not to men.
On the other hand, the Philistines were driven to despair. But they took courage and acquitted themselves like men. They knew the work of the God of Israel. They raised their powers to the highest pitch of activity to fight. They fulfilled the inner drive of their spirit and transcended their despair. In so doing, they experienced revelation. The victory was decided and they won the trophy, the Ark of Covenant. Indeed, God reveals to all men, Christians or non-Christians.
Dear Lord, grant me the courage to transcend. Amen.
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