Abstract

While Louis-Marie Chauvet’s (1942-) theology has been widely commented upon, relatively few commentators have critically engaged Chauvet as a fundamental theologian, particularly evaluating the ‘working-through’ of ontotheology he proposes. In approaching this, I will ask whether and how suffering has a role in this process, for, if ontotheological ways of thought are something nearly innate to human beings, then it seems likely that ‘working through’ them would be a painful process involving some existential suffering. In order to accomplish this, I will be utilising insights of the relatively uncommented upon American philosopher Jerome A. Miller, who has written of how suffering through the loss of our false self-image is the way towards authentic humanity and transcendence. Moreover, I think Miller’s ‘pedagogy of suffering’ provides a means of connecting Chauvet’s project to a wider context of human experience rather than limiting the realm of ‘working-through’ to the liturgical realm. However, it is Chauvet’s notion of the ethical liturgy of the neighbour which also prevents Miller’s phenomenological analysis from remaining overly abstract. Ultimately, then, this article represents a unique engagement with Chauvet’s theology in dialogue with Miller’s philosophy, which has implications for sacramental and fundamental theology, as well as pastoral practice.