Crossing the Threshold of Divine Revelation - William J. Abraham
I read this early in 2006 and I am just getting around to posting about it. Because of this long delay, in looking over my highlights, I realize that this is a highly technical book! (And I have forgotten most of the details!) The one thing I remember really appreciating is Abraham's insights on the idea of an epistemic threshold: "Consider two examples where we naturally speak of crossing a threshold. Consider climbing a mountain... Then suddenly one reaches the top, and crossing over the threshold of the summit, one has an exquisite panoramic view of the whole countryside, a view that circles the full 360 degrees of the compass. To cross that threshold is to enter a whole new field of vision tht stretches miles and miles from every angle. My second analogy... Consider crossing the threshold of a house. From the outside there is much to be seen externally; but far more remains totally hidden from sight. Step inside across the threshold, and a whole network of rooms, staircases, closets, basement, and kitchen is available. One has crossed into another world. In both cases one may or may not step across the threshold; however, the step across that threshold is singular and absolute; and once across, there is a new awareness of phenomena previously hidden from view" (86). Special revelation is like this - it introduces one to a whole new way of envisioning the whole. Thus, "when one crosses over into the world of divine revelation, then revelation will necessarily illuminate every aspect of one's existence, even though one does not know in advance where and how this illumination will make a difference" (87). "As a threshold concept, divine revelation, once accepted, has the potential to alter one's whole intellectual landscape. Coming to accept a divine revelation is not simply a matter of adding one more iten to one's stock of beliefs. Once one steps inside the revelation, one has to rework one's identity adn be open to the implications that lie on the other side of the threshold" (92). Skimming through the remainder of the book, I realize that I will simply have to read this again. The subject matter is too dense to skim, but it certainly is deep, profound, and important. This should teach me to never wait so long to post about a book!