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Essay | Analysis
The Son of Man and the End of Days
Who is the Son of Man, and What is Judgment Day?
“The concept of ‘the son of man’ is not a concrete person who belongs in history, something individual and unique, but an ‘eternal’ actuality, a psychological symbol redeemed from the concept of time.” — Friedrich Nietzsche (The Anti-Christ [AC]: Section 34)
How is ‘the apocalypse’ to be approached?
Suppose we are to take any form of traditional eschatology literally. In that case, our days are numbered — unless we ignore whatever nagging urge rages in us to fix our gaze upon the abyss.
But is that so wise? Is Wisdom something that can truly be handled or wielded — let alone in adequate or lasting ways?
If we take Pauline Christianity as the yoke upon which to die, then we must answer in the unconditionally negative, which is the underlying mental attitude Paul christens as uppermost in value amongst ‘virtues’:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy. (Colossians 2:8)
Bodily exercise profiteth little. (1 Timothy 4:8)
