Abstract:
Maybe, before we speak of time, or maybe whilst we are speaking of time, or maybe after we
have spoken of time, in the various modes of time’s insistence to exist, one should give time to
the talk of time. There are various different modes of time’s insistence to exist, such as quantum
physics in conversation with relativity theory where time is constructed as a fourth dimension
of space. Or there are the modes of time in history, religion, psychology and philosophy, and
each of these modes is composed, and composes its own specific object called time, and a
particular subject who understands and interprets time in that particular mode. Yet, before,
whilst or after these modes of time’s insistence to exist, one should maybe give time to time’s
insistence: the talk of time. Give time for the various times to articulate themselves in the
various modes of existence, thereby creating both a whole plurality of differing subjects, as
well as plurality of differing objects, all called ‘time’. Once time has been given time to talk
its talk, to articulate itself within the various modes, it will be interrupted by the articulations
of time in various modes of time still to come. These disruptions of time by time always still
to come opens the door for a theological narrative – a narrative on time, but created by the
coming of messianic times, interpreted in the mode of hope but also in the mode of a promise
from the past.