One
could possibly be inclined to think of reality and truth as primarily propositional (please note
especially the word primarily). Would
this not be the position of theologians who believe propositional truth is the
highest form of truth and that the Bible presents truth primarily as
proposition? How does this position square with God as ultimate reality and
ultimate truth? How does one protect the personhood of God from disappearing?
Is God a mere proposition? God is the “I am.” That is a proposition – a
proposition, however, nestled in the midst of a story!
As proposition, the statement told Moses (and company) something regarding the
reality of the person of God. The thought that God is (only, or primarily, or
even slightly) a proposition is obviously preposterous. And if (or rather,
since) reality is ultimately and foundationally God himself, then neither is
reality a mere proposition. The same applies for truth; truth is not essentially,
predominantly or exclusively propositional. Note that I am not saying reality and truth do not have a propositional
element; of course they do. I am, however, arguing that truth
(as well as reality and God) is not
fundamentally or only propositional. When Jesus declares, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life...” he is not claiming to be a mere conveyor of propositional
truth claims; rather he is saying as R. Bultmann (1985) tells us, “So truth…is
God’s very reality revealing itself – occurring! – in Jesus.” (p. 2,19). The
difference is no small detail. And no small part of the story.
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