Introduction

The philosophical contributions of French phenomenologist, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, carry great untapped potential for theologians thinking through some of the central affirmations of the Christian faith.

Structural Background

This exploration is structured against the background of the fundamental interrelation between three "bodies" in Merleau-Ponty''s thought and in Christian theology: the material as such or "nature" (the corporeal), the human body as a living body (the corporal), and the social body (the corporate-including language and tradition).

Philosophical Perspective

Merleau-Ponty''s philosophy offers a finessed and non-reductionistic understanding of the relations between these orders of bodies.

Implications for Theology

Appropriating Merleau-Ponty''s thought helps one think through Christian doctrines of creation, theological anthropology, Christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.