Phenomenology of Christian Life

Felix Ó Murchadha is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He is the author of The Time of Revolution: Kairos and Chronos in Heidegger (2012).

"A Phenomenology of Christian Life is remarkable, not only due to its wide scope, but primarily due to its originality. . . . The question of the relation between philosophy and theology is far from new, but Ó Murchadha has raised it again in an extraordinary powerful and thought-provoking way."—International Journal for Philosophy of Religion"This book should be read by anyone interested in the so-called 'theological turn' in recent phenomenology, it constitutes far more than a work of commentary or exegesis; instead, the book stands as a substantial and important contribution in itself. In so many respects,it is a singular achievement that should be regarded as a primary rather than secondary source. [B]rilliant, generous and engaging . . . ."—Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"[T]he primary significance of this book is twofold: first, Ó Murchadha's attention to the phenomenological import of creation offers a very fruitful starting point for future discussion, as this doctrine has been underemphasized by recent phenomenologists of religion. Second, the praxis of this book lives up to its aims: not only does it present us with relevant insights, but it also offers us a vivid and accessible model of how to think phenomenologically about the Christian life."—American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly"As an explication of how Christian belief can transform the meaning of the world . . . this book shows its greatest worth. Here it does as compelling a job as any in bringing out the novelty of Christianity before it became overly familiar and overwritten."—Philosophical Quarterly"The book is engaging, well-written and, from this reviewer's point of view, generally convincing. It constitutes an impressive and original contribution to both the philosophy of religion and has very much to offer to those interested in phenomenology and phenomenological analysis."—Modern Theology"Ó Murchadha makes abundant and timely references to the philosophical tradition from Plato through Heidegger, but also, perhaps more so, to the post-Heideggerian developments sometimes considered together and at once as 'the theological turn' in phenomenology. He is equally at home in the Christian theological traditions from Paul to Barth and von Balthasar."—Jeffrey Bloechl, Boston College

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Christianity and Philosophy1. Desire and Phenomenon2. Light and Dark3. Glory and Being4. Night, Faith, and Evil5. Incarnation and Asceticism6. Creation7. Aion, Chronos, Kairos8. Thinking Night and GloryNotesBibliographyIndex