| Linked
Glossary of Terms
(references to De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee, unless
indicated. See concordance
for correlation with pages in the New Critique. The concordance
is in pdf format.)
| biotic |
|
| biological |
I, 40 |
| life |
NC II, 563
Twilight 94, 125, 146 |
| living |
|
The biotic is one of the aspects
of temporal reality. It is the aspect that qualifies the realm
of plants.
But Dooyeweerd sometimes uses 'life' in a central
sense, "a giving of life in the full sense of the word" (NC
II, 563):
“Jesus Christ has said that we shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of
God." (Twilight, 94).
Here the term “live” is certainly not used
metaphorically, but much rather in the religious fullness of its meaning.”
Dooyeweerd says that what gives life is the Christian
Ground Motive in our hearts–the Motive of creation, fall and
redemption. But he emphasizes that this is not theological knowledge.
the true meaning is given by the "key of knowledge."
Many Christians have only a theological knowledge of creation, fall and
redemption, and this central theme of Word-Revelation has not yet become
the central motive-power of their lives. (Twilight, 188).
“So long as this central meaning of the Word-revelation
is at issue we are beyond the scientific problems of both of theology
and philosophy. Its acceptance or rejection is a matter of life or death
to us, and not a question of theoretical reflection. In this sense the
central motive of the Holy Scripture is the common supra-scientific
starting point of a really biblical theology and of a really Christian
philosophy. It is the key of knowledge of which Jesus spoke in his discussion
with the Scribes and lawyers.” (Twilight, 125)
On page 146, Dooyeweerd again emphasizes the life or
death aspect:
“…the true knowledge of God in Jesus Christ and true self-knowledge
are neither of a dogmatic-theological, nor of a philosophical nature,
but have an absolutely central religious significance. This knowledge
is a question of spiritual life or death.” (Twilight,
146).
Baader also invited his readers to take part in a war
of life and death (Werke 1,385; Schumacher 15).
Revised Dec. 27/04
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