Time, death and resurrection: A philosophically integrated perspective

Christian Laube Kraatz, Purdue University

Abstract

In the history of western philosophical theology, one finds that there are two predominant and yet divergent interpretations of the meaning of victory over death. One way of expressing the manner in which death is to be overcome is through an appeal to a continued existence after death. Another way in which the meaning of victory over death finds expression, however, is in terms of an authentic earthly existence in which one does not allow the factuality of death to strip one's life of meaning. The goal of this dissertation is to weave together these two interpretations of the meaning of resurrection into a coherent and integrated whole. The integration of these two divergent ways of understanding victory over death is accomplished by way of an analysis of their respective assumptions regarding the nature of death and time. The first conclusion to result from this analysis is that the "other-worldly" interpretation of victory over death must assume a strictly biological understanding of death itself. The "this-worldly" understanding, however, can only be maintained on the basis of an existential understanding of death as a "way to be." The second step in this project is to point out that a biological understanding of death must assume that time is a strictly empirical/objective phenomenon. An existential interpretation of the meaning of death, however, can only be maintained in light of a phenomenological understanding of time. It is in Ricoeur's Time and Narrative that we find the necessary groundwork for being able to integrate these two interpretations of victory over death. In this work Ricoeur argues that the empirical/objective and phenomenological notions of time actually presuppose one another and are separated in speculation only. Based on Ricoeur's arguments, it would seem to follow that the biological and existential views on death should exhibit the same character of mutual presupposition. Moreover, in demonstrating that the notions of time and death which inform these apparently divergent views on resurrection can form a coherent whole, it becomes possible to present an integrated perspective on victory over death in which both views are taken into account.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Schrag, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Philosophy|Religion|Philosophy|Theology

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