Eros in Eden: A Praxis of Beauty in Genesis 3 公开

Abstract

Offering an analysis of desire in experiences of ambiguity and ambivalence in cultural hybridity, this work builds on a Farleyan understanding of Divine Eros to offer a theological read of Genesis 3. The theological concepts of benevolent creation, erotic faithfulness, and a praxis of beauty, offer the hospitality of an interpretive lens that makes visible the faithfulness unfolding in Eden. A good serpent, one "that the Lord God had made," acts with oracular faithfulness towards the woman. Attentive with desire to fulfill the tov (the goodness and beauty) of her highest vocation (that of being "God-bearer") the woman engages in a praxis of beauty -- a relational "seeing" and delighting in the good and beauty of the Other in Creation that creates partnerships capable of realizing the fullest tov of each. Discerning that the fulfillment of her highest tov lies in partnering with the tree, the woman eats of it and offers the same to the man. In her erotic faithfulness the woman empowers the fulfillment of humanity's vocation to be like God, or "God-bearers." Thus the man names the woman, Eve, "the mother of all living."

Revealing Eden to be a context shaped by ambiguity and ambivalence, Genesis 3 shows cultural hybridity to be a human condition both capable of revealing the vulnerabilities of finitude that structure of all human existence and potent with the creative power to generate a sacramental existence. The courageous discernment and decision modeled by Eve demonstrates an existential integrity empowering for cultural hybrids. Eve's praxis of beauty demonstrates how a practice of contemplative eros not only awakens our consciousness of the sacredness in our experiences, but also enlivens the sacredness that is ours through the sanctity of a human existence. Thus, the story of eros in Eden teaches that we are transformed into sacraments that mediate the presence of divine hospitality in Creation. Like Eve, through the integrity of faithful desiring that courageously embraces our highest tov, we also become "God-bearers," manifesting our likeness of the Divine who invites us to be co-creators.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Chapter 1 5 A Story of Immigration and Faith

A Context of Struggle

A Vision of the Future

A Hope in the Present

A Grief of Loss

A Faith Inherited

A Conviction of Blessedness

Chapter 2 29 Which Virtue:

A Crisis of Clarity, A Failure of Authority, A Paralysis of Agency

The Problem of Competing Cultural Paradigms

The False Hope of Clarity

A Frustration of Obedience

The Inadequacy of Obedience

A Crisis of Agency

Too Much Clarity

A Failure of Authority

Beyond Virtue Chapter 3 43 Eros for Existential Integrity:

A Theological Analysis of Desire in Cultural Hybridity

Cultural Hybridity: A Human Condition

Transitional Personhood

Ambiguity Ambivalence

A Desire for Existential Integrity

Aletheia: Truth in Existence Chapter 4 61 Born of Divine Eros: A Benevolent Creation, Contemplative Eros, and Erotic Faithfulness

Divine Eros and Creation: Creating Other for Relationship

Oriented by Divine Hospitality: Benevolent creation

Blessedness

Erotic Faithfulness

Chapter 5 88

Eden Revisited: A Praxis of Beauty in Creation

The Good Serpent

The Likeness of God

Knowing Good and Evil

She Saw That It Was Good: A Praxis of Beauty

Their Eyes Were Open And They Saw

The Woman Whom You Gave Me: An Accounting

Provision for Progeny: Divine faithfulness in Woman's Desire

Bread Every Day: Benevolence and Benediction

Exile as Protection: Blessedness Beyond Eden

Conclusion 173 A Blessedness Beyond Eden Bibliography 192

Appendix A Autobiography of Chang Yull Kim 199

Appendix B Teshuqua Chart 213

Appendix C Umberto Cassuto: 218

An Augustine Legacy of Human Failure and

Divine Punishment in Genesis 3

Appendix D Phyllis Trible: Depatriarchalizing Gender in Eden 273 Appendix E H.G. Mitchell: Humanity's "Fall" into Maturity 289

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Religion
Degree	PhD
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, Biblical Studies Religion, General Theology
关键词	Divine Eros Genesis 3 Existential Integrity Contemplative Eros Immigration Cultural Hybridity Asian North American Constructive Theology Benevolent Creation Spirituality Praxis of Beauty
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Farley, Wendy, Emory University
Committee Members	Diakite, Dianne M, Emory University Saliers, Don E, Emory University

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