The Manifest and the Revealed: A Phenomenology of Kenōsis

Description

Offers a new phenomenological method for biblical interpretation that opens up the possibility of an absolute science of scripture. What is scripture and how does it function? Is there a “scientific” way to understand its meaning? In answer, Adam Wells proposes a phenomenological approach to scripture that radicalizes both phenomenology and its relation to Christianity. By reading the “kenōsis hymn” (Philippians 2:5–11) alongside the work of Edmund Husserl, Wells develops a kenotic reduction that rehabilitates the Husserlian idea of “absolute science” while also disclosing the radical philosophical implications of Paul’s “new creation.” More broadly, The Manifest and the Revealed pushes the fields of phenomenology and biblical studies forward. The turn to scripture, as a source for theological and philosophical reflection, marks an important advance for the recent “theological turn” in phenomenology. At the same time, by bringing to light the incredible complexity of scripture, phenomenology provides a ay for contemporary biblical studies to exceed its own limits. Wells demonstrates how phenomenology and scripture ultimately illuminate one another in profound and surprising ways. Adam Y. Wells is Assistant Professor of Religion at Emory & Henry College and the editor of Phenomenologies of Scripture. Contents Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction: On Husserl’s Dream Part I: Theoretical Considerations: Phenomenology as an Absolute Science of Scripture Introduction to Part I Chapter 1 Phenomenology and Science in Husserl’s Early Work A. Philosophy of Arithmetic and Logical Investigations B. Ideas I Chapter 2 The Genetic Transformation of Absolute Science A. Cartesian Meditations and Formal and Transcendental Logic B. The Crisis C. The Reduction from Givenness to Pre-givenness Chapter 3 Phenomenology as Self-Referential Science A. The Fracturing of Transcendental Subjectivity B. Mundane Science and Phenomenology C. Absolute Science as Self-Referential Science Conclusion to Part I: Phenomenology Ex Vivo Part II: Absolute Science in Practice: The Kenotic Reduction Introduction to Part II Chapter 4 The Life and Times of Philippians 2:5-11 A. The Hymn’s Purpose B. Christ’s Equality with God C. Kenosis and Exaltation: Feminist Readings D. Conclusion Chapter 5 Kenosis and Phenomenological Reduction A. A Brief Aside: What Does it Mean to Read Phenomenologically? B. The Evolution of the Phenomenological Reduction C. The Initial Hypothesis: The Kenosis Hymn as a Reduction from Cosmos to Creation D. Love and Power: Refining the Initial Hypothesis after the Kenotic Reduction E. Ramifications of the Kenotic Reduction for Scriptural Studies F. Ramifications of the Kenotic Reduction for Phenomenology Chapter 6 Kenotic Time: Husserl and Apocalyptic Eschatology A. Apocalypses and Apocalyptic Eschatology B. Husserlian Options for Characterizing Kenotic Time Chapter 7 Radicalizing Husserlian Temporality: Anticipation, Depresencing, and Represencing A. The Phenomenality of Anticipation B. Time as Depresencing C. Kenotic Time as Eschatological Horizon: The Represencing of God Conclusion A. Précis B. Absolute Science and Biblical Criticism C. Absolute Science and Husserlian Phenomenology D. Absolute Science and Christianity Notes Bibliography Index