헤르만 바빙크의 인식론 연구 - 인식론의 구조와 인간 정신의 기능을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This paper focused on the structure and content of Herman Bavinck’s epistemology. The structure of Bavinck’s epistemology includes both philosophy and theology. First, related to philosophical concerns, idealism and empiricism are subjects of discussion. According to the present researcher, Bavinck treats human cognition as not just innate but neither just formed through experience. On the one hand, human cognition is present from birth, but on the other hand, it is acquired through experience. However, whether innate or acquired by experience, these two things are grasped as concrete concepts through the working of the human mind. Through the working of the human mind, the innate and the acquired are conceptualized into knowledge from the cognitive dimension. Next, related to theological concerns, in order to secure his epistemological foundation, Bavinck says the basis or foundation of all existing things is to come into contact with God Himself. All existing things must first originate as the possession of God, and then exist through the act of realization in creation. However, as God’s act of creation is similar to a kind of revelational act, the natural world that exists as an act of creation is an objective revelation capable of grasping God. It is an objective foundation of knowledge. The objective revelation in Bavinck’s epistemology of God is the Bible and the natural world read through the Bible. Similarly, there is a subjective foundation for an awareness of God. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is related to the inspiration of the biblical revelation and at the same time intervention into the interpreters’ interpretive process of reading the Bible and arriving at the core message of the revelation of God. At this time, only the Holy Spirit, becomes the interpreter of true revelation and works on the human mind. As such, according to Bavinck, humans created as personal beings, through the use of the mind that God has given alongside creation, can medicate creation and the Bible and understand its meaning, and at the same time, through the Holy Spirit working on the mind, acquire a sound and correct consciousness. However, secular philosophical cognition is always limited by a distorted judgment. Similarly, it is only through theological cognition a true understanding of God is made possible. However, even in the realm of theology, to a certain extent, based on one’s acceptance of the work of the Holy Spirit, diverse forms of theology appear. Related to this, as a member of a community of professing faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, doing theology is viewed as important.