Assignment Question
Instructions from Class: Answer one question from each list below for a total of three essays. Each essay should be no less than 700 words and no more than 800 words. For each answer, you must reference three different sources; each text division we have read counts as a source (see complete source list below). Collectively, your three essays should draw on at least six distinct sources. This means that you can use three sources twice. Note that each of the distinct biblical readings count as a different source. So, for example, Gen. 1:1-2:3 counts as one source and Gen. 2:4-3:24 counts as another source. Your answers should be well-formulated, clearly structured, and have no grammatical or spelling errors. Each essay should have a single overarching argument—a thesis—and each of your three sources should support that thesis. Organizationally, each essay should have an introductory paragraph, a concluding paragraph, and a paragraph devoted to each source. Your use of sources should be clear and compelling. You are free to pursue a variety of interpretations of a given source, but your interpretations must be rooted in the textual realities of the source. Unless your citation is obvious, please cite your source with a simple, in-text parenthetical citation. For modern authors, simply use last name and page number. Your paragraphs can be double or single-spaced. Please use 12-point, Times New Roman font. List 1: What is the significance of home, exile, and wandering in the Book of Genesis and/or Exodus? What role does gender play in Genesis 1-3? List 2: Why study theology and religion? (Include Latour, Burton, and Hitz) What is Eve’s role in Jacob of Serugh’s retelling of Genesis 4? List 3: What role does freedom play in the Book of Genesis and/or Exodus? What is the relationship between sin, salvation, and liberation? Sources: Bruno Latour, “‘Thou Shalt Not Freeze Frame,’ Or How Not to Misunderstand the Science and Religion Debate.” Zena Hitz, Lost in Thought, 25-49. James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, 29-56. Rosa, The Uncontrollability of the World. Tara Isabella Burton, “Study Theology, Even if You Don’t Believe in God.” Gen. 1:1-2:3. Frances Young, God’s Presence, 44-91. Gen. 2:4-3:24. Phylis Trible, “A Love Story Gone Awry,” in God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality, 72-139. Gen. 4:1-26. Jacob, Poems on Cain and Abel 3. Gen. 12-22. Erich Auerbach, “Odysseus’ Scar.” Exodus 1-15 Gustavo Gutierrez, “A Theology of Liberation” Message from me: So basically you will have to choose one of the topics from each list (1,2, and 3) and you have to use the sources and references from the readings/sources that I will attach to the files box. You will have to use 3 sources for each essay which should be in a range of 700~800 words count, and of the sources you use, only 2 of them can be re-used. This means you need a total of 7 sources collectively in 3 pieces of writing. A Works Cited page is not needed, but in-text citations are needed. If you are confused after reading the instructions.
Assignment Answer
In the Book of Genesis, the themes of home, exile, and wandering play a significant role in shaping the narrative and the overall message of the text. This essay will explore the profound significance of these themes in the context of Genesis and how they relate to the human condition. It will also delve into the role of gender in the early chapters of Genesis.
Introduction
The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible, lays the foundation for many fundamental themes in the Abrahamic religions. Among these themes, the concepts of home, exile, and wandering emerge prominently, reflecting the human experience and divine plan. This essay will examine how these themes unfold in the narrative and their implications for understanding the relationship between humanity and the divine.
The Significance of Home
Home, as depicted in Genesis, serves as a symbol of God’s initial design for humanity. In Genesis 1:1-2:3, the creation narrative presents a divine order where God creates a harmonious home for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This pristine environment symbolizes the ideal state of being at home with God, a place where humanity could dwell in communion with the divine (Gen. 1:26-28). It’s a place of abundance and harmony, where humanity is entrusted with the stewardship of creation.
Exile and Wandering as Consequences
The disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden results in their expulsion, marking the beginning of human exile from the original home (Gen. 3:23-24). The consequences of their actions force them to wander in the wilderness, separated from the divine presence. This narrative reflects the idea that disobedience leads to exile and wandering, symbolizing humanity’s estrangement from God. In the biblical context, exile often signifies both physical and spiritual separation from one’s homeland and God’s presence.
The notion of wandering is not confined to physical displacement but also represents a spiritual journey. In the case of the Israelites in the Book of Exodus, their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years becomes a transformative experience, a period of testing and growth. It is during these years that God molds them into a people prepared to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the redemptive aspect of wandering (Exodus 16-17).
Gender in Genesis 1-3
Gender plays a crucial role in the Genesis narrative, particularly in chapters 1-3. Eve, as the first woman, is created from Adam’s rib, symbolizing her connection to him (Gen. 2:22). However, her role becomes central in the story of the fall. She is tempted by the serpent and shares the forbidden fruit with Adam (Gen. 3:1-6). This act of disobedience leads to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Gender dynamics, in this context, highlight the vulnerability of humanity to temptation and sin.
Eve’s role in the narrative has sparked various interpretations over the centuries. Some have seen her as a symbol of temptation and disobedience, while others have viewed her as a figure who embodies both the potential for wrongdoing and the capacity for redemption. Her actions in the garden raise questions about free will, moral responsibility, and the consequences of choices.
Theological Reflection
The themes of home, exile, and wandering in Genesis offer profound theological insights. They emphasize the consequences of human disobedience and the separation from God. However, they also hint at the possibility of reconciliation and restoration, as seen in later chapters of Genesis. The promise of a future homeland, such as the one given to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), underscores the divine plan for redemption and the ultimate return to a restored home in the presence of God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Book of Genesis provides a rich narrative that explores the significance of home, exile, and wandering in the context of human disobedience and divine justice. These themes serve as essential elements in understanding the human condition and the relationship between humanity and the divine. Additionally, the role of gender, particularly in the story of Eve, underscores the complexities of human nature and vulnerability to temptation. Genesis ultimately invites reflection on the consequences of disobedience, the search for home, and the hope for reconciliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of the Book of Genesis?
The central themes of the Book of Genesis include the significance of home, exile, and wandering, as well as exploring the consequences of human disobedience and divine justice.
How does gender play a role in the early chapters of Genesis?
Gender is a significant aspect in Genesis, particularly in chapters 1-3, where Eve’s role as the first woman is explored in the context of the fall and its consequences.
What is the symbolic meaning of home in Genesis?
In Genesis, home symbolizes God’s initial design for humanity, as seen in the harmonious Garden of Eden, where humans were meant to dwell in communion with the divine.
What are the consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in Genesis?
The disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden results in their expulsion, marking the beginning of human exile from the original home and separation from God’s presence.
How does the theme of wandering relate to the human condition in Genesis?
Wandering in Genesis represents both physical displacement and a spiritual journey. It signifies the consequences of disobedience and estrangement from God, but it can also be a period of transformation and growth, as seen in the Israelites’ journey in the Book of Exodus.
