Adam and Eve in Scripture, Theology, and Literature (eBook)

Sin, Compassion, and Forgiveness

Peter B. Ely (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2018
348 Seiten
Lexington Books (Verlag)
9781498573900 (ISBN)

Infos

This book explores the narrative of Adam and Eve, its transformation into the doctrine of original sin, its power to stimulate reflection on the meaning of human life, its amazing persistence in literature, and its ability to evoke compassion and forgiveness.

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Adam and Eve in Scripture, Theology, and Literature: Sin, Compassion, and Forgiveness is an extended consideration of the narrative of Adam and Eve, first seen in the Hebrew Bible but given new life by St. Paul in the New Testament. Paul's treatment of Adam and Eve, especially his designation of Christ as a second Adam, has had an enormous influence in Christianity. Peter Ely follows this rich narrative as it develops in history, providing the basis of the doctrine of original sin in Christianity, giving rise in modern times to theological speculation, and entering thematically into mysticism and literature. The power of the adamic narrative can only be realized if one treats it as a true but non-historical myth. The "e;truth"e; of the myth lies in its ability to stimulate thinking and so reveal the depths of human experience. Augustine understood that, so did Julian of Norwich, and even the Belgian author of mystery stories, Georges Simenon, who had a deep sense of the universality of human weakness and the possibilities of redeeming what was lost. Simenon's detective Maigret saw himself as a "e;mender of destinies."e; The doctrine of original sin, the notion that human beings share a common vulnerability, can open the way to compassion and forgiveness. As Shakespeare illustrates in Measure for Measure, the awareness of weakness in ourselves should move us to compassion for others. The recognition of a kind of "e;democracy of sin"e; can keep us from considering ourselves better than others, unlike them in their weakness, and entitled to stand in judgment of them. Thus, compassion opens the door to forgiveness. The progress from sin to compassion to forgiveness forms the heart of this work.

Autor

Peter B. Ely is associate professor of theology and religious studies at Seattle University.

Inhalt

Paul Ricoeur: A Wider Context for the Adamic Myth The Adamic Myth in the Hebrew Testament The Adamic Myth in the New Testament Augustine: Original Sin and Compassion Adam and Eve and Original Sin: Classical Formulations and Modern DevelopmentsCompassion as Prelude to Forgiveness René Girard: Original Sin as Covetousness Perceval: From Naïveté to Wisdom Julian of Norwich: From Blindness to the Vision of Love Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure: Compassion in the State Detective and Priest: Simenon’s Compassionate Commissioner Maigret Conclusion Bibliography

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.1.2018
• Zusatzinfo: 1 Illustrations including: - 1 Tables.
• Verlagsort: Lanham
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Kunst / Musik / Theater
• Themenwelt: Religion / Theologie ► Christentum ► Bibelausgaben / Bibelkommentare
• Themenwelt: Religion / Theologie ► Christentum ► Kirchengeschichte
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Judentum
• Schlagworte: Adam • Adam and Eve • Augustine • Compassion • Creation • Democracy of sin • Eden • Eve • Forgiveness • Genesis • Georges Simenon • Grace • Julian of Norwich • Measure for Measure • New Adam • New Testament • original sin • Paul • Ricoeur • Second Adam • Shakespeare
• ISBN-13: 9781498573900 / 9781498573900