After a long small print section of commentary on Revelation 4—5 on angels and heaven vis-à-vis a Heaven-world relation, Karl Barth ends the whole thing with the following passage:
A final observation may be made. At one time θεολογία was thought of as knowledge of the kind of matters which have occupied us here. Rev. 4—5 was thus regarded as a typical specimen, and it was for this reason that the author was called John ὁ Θεολόγος. He would have been most surprised, and the 4 living creatures, the 24 elders and the many angels in heaven, must surely have been surprised, at most of the things which have since been given the name of theology.[1]
Barth wrote this in the mid-20th century; how much more so is his indictment even truer in the 21st century church and churches? Kyrie eleison
[1] Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics III/3 §50–51 [476] The Doctrine of Creation: Study Edition (London: T&T Clark, 2010), 190.
Kyrie eleison… indeed.
By thy mercy, O God, allow us to demythologize what is real and true, regardless of our capacity to comprehend the fullness of true reality.
Richard, yes, indeed, there can be a sanctified usage of demythologization. Unfortunately, Bultmann was unsanctified in his deployment 😉 .
Yes… unfortunately… (and ultimately, I fear).