NARRATIVE THINKING AND THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL HORIZONS OF THEOLOGY

Abstract

In times regarded by many as post-metaphysical, the critique of several thinkers who dialogue with Heidegger’s philosophy against ontotheology has fostered a more careful reflection on the epistemological possibilities for contemporary theology. In this sense, the present article seeks to explore an epistemological alternative for a theology non-metaphysically oriented, but that is rather defined by the more concrete horizon of narrative thinking. In order to do that, the study is organized in three main parts. First, the article presents a brief overview of the critique of metaphysical thinking in dialogue with Heidegger. Second, the study explores epistemological possibilities of narrative thinking, highlighting Ricoeur’s reflections on that. Finally, these possibilities are observed from a wider theological perspective by articulating aspects of narrative epistemology in the theology of Robert Krieg. In short, the article suggests that a theological epistemology that privileges narrative thinking, particularly by focusing on the polyphony of biblical language, is a promising way of thinking about God.