Hermeneutics - Theology notes continues - Eschatology

Think of this image: Heaven at the top, Present in the centre, Past at the far left, Future at the Far Right and Hell at the bottom. Principals of Interpretations. The definition of hermeneutics: suspicion, that truth is not clear. We are inundated in our age, by the Masters of Suspicion. The Masters are: 1. Nietsche 2. Marx 3. Freud. Let’s start with Freud. All religious beliefs derive. Living in an age of secularization. Psychological drive. Marx: reduces to political. Christians have used God to keep people in their places. Behind this is Eschatology - for next life. Vatican 11, para 43, “They are mistaken.” Nietsche: Another form to power. You don’t need religion, one can stand on your own two feet. It is a cop out. These views are still prevalent today. The second principal to keep in mind is the human experience. Eschatology. The Holy - 1. Fascination, 2. Terror. The return to religious experience. Carl Reiner: Consolation without a cause. Dermet Lune: The need to ground, as per people’s religious experience. John Webster: Eschatology responsible in its control, but not to its concepts. This means that each age questions. The third principal (in respect to hermeneutics). Eschatological is often symbolic. Keep in mind it may be metaphorical. Story of doubting Thomas - stick fingers in the wound, asking for proof and gets it. Eschatological language - a finality to human history. It’s only an approximate. Theological - Jesus Christ, risen, is the hope of the world and future to come. Resurrection is the acorn of the oak tree of the resurrection to come. 2nd Principal - God of Creation is God of final, of believers, all eternal life is something initiated in this life. One of the messages of Mary - what is sown on earth, is seen in heaven. Think of veil. 3rd Principal - Discontinuity of our mortal life and the eschaton. The action of God in creation and salvation. One eternal life is not to be seen as a continuation of this life to other. There is a finality here and a promise of the divine in the next. There is a discontinuity. To be continued.