Filozofska istraživanja, Vol. 41 No. 1, 2021.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.21464/fi41109
Are We Free to Die? Some Aspects of Discussion about Death and Freedom in the Contemporary Catholic Eschatology
Iva Mršić Felbar
orcid.org/0000-0002-4402-9003
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Katolički bogoslovni fakultet, Vlaška 38, HR–10000 Zagreb
Abstract
The paper explores the problem of death as a central issue of every eschatology, including the Catholic one. Death as a phenomenon and anthropological fact shapes the beginnings of the Old Testament’ Eschatology, sharpening its statement in the New Testament’ theology crucis. During the history of theology, the theology of death remained within the frame of its interpretation as a consequence of sin and unwanted fate, whereby its positive connection to freedom was left out. Only thanks to some of the contemporary approaches that place death in direct relation to freedom (Moltmann, Rahner, Boros), observing it as a conscious act of an individual, both death and freedom, although at first opposed, become the categories that, theologically observed, transform themselves. In conclusion, the paper attempts to answer the question regarding freedom to die, in the light of some contemporary eschatological debates, and to place the awareness of death in the context of freedom and life, and not as their opposition.
Keywords
eschatology; death; freedom; old testament; human being
Hrčak ID:
251421
URI
Publication date:
11.1.2021.
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