Biblical Narrative in the Philosophy of Paul Ricoeur

Abstract

Although Paul Ricoeur's writings are widely and appreciatively read by theologians, this book offers a full, sympathetic yet critical account of Ricoeur's theory of narrative interpretation and its contribution to theology. Unlike many previous studies of Ricoeur, Part I argues that Ricoeur's hermeneutics must be viewed in the light of his overall philosophical agenda, as a fusion and continuation of the unfinished projects of Kant and Heidegger. Particularly helpful is the focus on Ricoeur's recent narrative theory as the context in which Ricoeur deals with problems of time and the creative imagination; and it becomes clear that narrative stands at the crossroads of Ricoeur's search for the meaning of human being as well as his search for the meaning of texts. Part II examines the potential of Ricoeur's narrative theory for resolving certain theological problems, such as the dichotomy betweens the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith.

Hope: future imagined reality. The meaning of hope as described by a group of healthy Pentecostalists

“…The interviewees’ human thoughts were insufficient to encompass the work of God, but their imagination made their future possible (cf. Vanhoozer 1990). The interpretation of the concept ‘future’ is one problem of the Christian eschatology ( Moltmann 1965).…”

“…Boros (1970) states that one cannot speak adequately about heaven, only about one’s longing for it. In contrast, Vanhoozer (1990) refers to Ricoeur and Jüngel, who emphasize that religious language is the language that explores human possibilities and reaches beyond our present actuality.…”

Atheisms and the purification of faith

“…This is a way of understanding God, as one commentator has put it, as 'absolute love rather than absolute authority'. 31 No longer is surrendering to God construed as obedience to a tyrant who will punish you in this world or the next if you fail to conform to his dictates; instead, it becomes an acceptance of self-effacing love -agáp -acting through the medium of one's own humanity.…”

What Does Hermeneutics Have to Do With Biblical Interpretation?

“…59 Kevin Vanhoozer, in contrast, sees Ricoeur as one step removed from the theological task proper: 'like John the Baptist, Ricoeur serves the Gospel by baptizing our imaginations, philosophically preparing the way for the Word'. 60 Vanhoozer's later writings suggest that even this is too positive: he worries that Ricoeur has 'secularised' biblical interpretation by turning the power of appropriation of biblical narrative over from the Holy Spirit to the creative imagination. 61 What of Ricoeur himself ?…”