Dr. J. Glenn Friesen

Studies relating to Herman Dooyeweerd Linked Glossary of Terms

© J. Glenn Friesen 2003.

Linked Glossary of Terms
(references to De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee, unless indicated))

Anastasis means "to stand again." It is used to refer to the resurrection. What is remarkable is that Dooyeweerd uses this word in contrast to apo-stasis or apostasy.

I believe that apostasy is a standing out of the coherence of time because of absolutization. It is no longer en-stasis, but apo-stasis. Anastasis means 'resurrection'–it is a "standing again." In contrast to the apostate choice of Archimedean point, we can make the proper choice. This is resurrection, new life. This is the "standing in the truth" of which Dooyeweerd speaks elsewhere.

Dooyeweerd therefore uses 'resurrection' in a context that is achievable before death. Furthermore, he uses the remarkable phrase, to "discover our self to our self in the anastasis." Anastasis is therefore a re-discovering of our true self, which was lost in the fall. This is life instead of death.

The discovery of our true self (I, vi) is a resurrection. It is also a taste of the afterlife. I believe that this is what Baader means when he says that the best way to show the immortality of our existence is to help a person to develop true life within himself (Zeit 23 ft 3).