Pre-existence language and the dynamic of metaphorical predication: the Christological use of pre-existence language in the light of Paul Ricoeur's theory of metaphor

Abstract

Our own study will not treat of the varying 'degrees' of pre-existence -- whether 'ideal' or 'real' -- since this distinction, and this way of dealing with the theme, does not aid understanding, but rather presents a distinction that no one really knows what to do with. Instead, after expounding Ricoeur's analysis of metaphor, we shall take the discussion into four related but distinct areas in order to make a contribution to each of them. We have chosen this path, because one of our concerns will be the context of discussion which derives from pre-existence language -- both in Christology and in Trinity -- and the relationship between pre-existence language and other Christological concerns. our first chapter will be an exposition of Ricoeur, but after that, we shall draw upon his theory as it seems appropriate. It is not our intention to make a point-by-point application of his whole theory to every detail of pre-existence language. Such an approach would be highly artificial, tedious , repetitive and, I suspect, too constricting to *be valuable. We shall be guided by his approach; it is for Ricoeur himself to do it differently.

Our second chapter will examine the Christological use of pre-existence language, with the intention of bringing some clarity into how it should be viewed within the Christological sphere. our third and fourth chapters will examine the use Barth makes of the theme of the pre-existence of -the man Jesus, and the relationship between this theme and other concerns of the Church Dogmatics, and-the place of pre-existence language in the Epistle to the Hebrews. our choice of this New Testament text, rather than the obvious choice of the Fourth Gospel, is partially inspired by the neglect of this theme in the majority of works on the Epistle. Yet there is an integration of this Christological theme with the soteriological concerns of the Epistle which is worth pursuing. In addition, the absence of a separate 'pre-existence narrative', such as the Johannine Prologue, concentrates attention on the application of pre-existence language to the person of Jesus -- a point which links this chapter with our previous two studies of Christology and Barth. our final chapter will consider the necessity for a formal distinction. between Christological and Trinitarian languages: within the first, we shall propose that pre-existence language has, as its referent, the person of Jesus, but within the second, it is necessary to speak of another referent, the 'Eternal Son or Word', distinct from Jesus. We shall approach this through a consideration. oUthe issues at stake in the contemporary discussion, of the relationship of the immanent and economic Trinity. In conclusion, the chapter will turn to a way of proposing a more pneumatologically conceived view of the relationship of the immanent and economic Trinity, and of the relationship between the 'pre-existent' Son and the Incarnate Son.

Each section is, to some extent, autonomous, but they are linked together by inter-related themes and questions. I have been aware of the ways in which the different areas of study chosen for examination have an organic unity which derives from the particular line of investigation I have chosen.