Androgyny and Early Christianity

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

منو

" Androgyny and Early Christianity "
Johannes Vorster

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	1082791
Doc. No	:	LA126420
Call No	:	‭10.1163/157430108X308172‬
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Johannes Vorster
Title & Author	:	Androgyny and Early Christianity [Article]\ Johannes Vorster
Publication Statement	:	Leiden: Brill
Title of Periodical	:	Religion and Theology
Date	:	2008
Volume/ Issue Number	:	15/1-2
Page No	:	97–132
Abstract	:	The fusion of two sexes into one body has often been interpreted as symbolising humankind's yearning for unity, harmony and equality. Studies of early Christianity have 'discovered' in the imagery of the androgynous being a possibility for resisting the prevailing phallocratic Graeco-Roman culture, thereby portraying the first steps toward an egalitarian community. This article contests this 'discovery' and it is argued that the imagery of androgyny represents not a harmonious utopian future, but rather a discordant, chaotic present. As a matter of fact, the imagery of the androgyny represents phallogocentric discourses, using the notion of the deformed male body as strategy for its maintenance and reproduction. The fusion of two sexes into one body has often been interpreted as symbolising humankind's yearning for unity, harmony and equality. Studies of early Christianity have 'discovered' in the imagery of the androgynous being a possibility for resisting the prevailing phallocratic Graeco-Roman culture, thereby portraying the first steps toward an egalitarian community. This article contests this 'discovery' and it is argued that the imagery of androgyny represents not a harmonious utopian future, but rather a discordant, chaotic present. As a matter of fact, the imagery of the androgyny represents phallogocentric discourses, using the notion of the deformed male body as strategy for its maintenance and reproduction.
Descriptor	:	ANDROGYNY
Descriptor	:	DUAL SEXUALITY
Descriptor	:	EARLY CHRISTIAN EGALITARIANISM
Descriptor	:	EARLY CHRISTIAN GNOSTICISM
Descriptor	:	HERMAPHRODITISM
Descriptor	:	PHALLOGOCENTRIC DISCOURSE
Location & Call number	:	‭10.1163/157430108X308172‬