A critical account of Ricoeur's theory of narrative interpretation and its contribution to theology.

Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction: 1. The passion for the possible: preface to Paul Ricoeur; Part I. The Passion for the Possible in Ricoeur's Philosophy and Hermeneutics: 2. Human being, possibility, and time; 3. Hope within the limits of Kant alone?; 4. Metaphor, poetry, and the possible; 5. Narrative: the 'substance' of things hoped for; Part II. The Passion for the Possible and Biblical Narrative: Stories or Histories of Jesus?: 6. A newer hermeneutic: postscript to Bultmann; 7. A literal Gospel?; 8. The Gospels as 'tales about time'; 9. Passion of Jesus, power of Christ: the possibility of human freedom; Conclusion: 10. The Bible and one philosopher; Select bibliography; Index.