The document discusses different views on the authority and interpretation of the Bible. It states that the Bible is a source of illumination for discovering one's identity rather than an objective revelation. Additionally, some theologians believe revelation occurs through contemporary experience and interpreting scripture in light of that experience and the beliefs of the community. The Bible can yield new meanings when reinterpreted in the context of the present against the background of history.

1. The Consciousness Model and
the Bible

2. What is the Bible?
• Is a paradigm
• A source of illumination but not an
objective deposit of revelation

3. The Bible’s authority
• According to Schillebeeckx,
the inspiration of Scripture
originally meant the capacity
of certain writings to inspire
the community to discover its
own identity; its authority
came from its ability to
inspire.

4. • Later on, the authority of the Scriptures
was recognized as coming from God.

5. Revelation
• Occurs in contemporary
experience. This experience,
as the source of revelation,
is interpreted with the help
of Scriptures.

6. What do they say?
• Gregory Baum – Scriptures can yield new
“salvational meaning” when reread and
reinterpreted in the light of the experience of
the believing community

7. What do they say?
• Ray L. Hart – Past events (biblical history) have
power to interpret our
present situation
• Schillebeeckx – Bible must be read in a
contemporary context and against the
background of our remembered past

8. Interpreting Consumerism through Luke 16:19-
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