Abstract
The mythology of the first chapters of Genesis have most prominently been interpreted as the “beginnings” of humanity and the world. In as much as it is the first book of the Hebrew Bible, it makes sense that it would be interpreted as genetically prior to the rest of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. This paper decidedly flips such a convention on its head: rather than interpreting Genesis genetically, the author has chosen to read the first three chapters of Genesis both eschatologically (in terms of the “end times”) and soteriologically (in terms of “salvation”). The aim of such a reading is to, first, better understand Genesis within our post/modern world, and (second) to establish a religious, Judeo-Christian foundation for ethical vegetarian. Tangentially, the establishment of such a lifestyle will hopefully predicate a greater, worldwide transition from the current regime of industrial farming.
Presenters
Robert M. McDonaldDoctoral Student, Comparative Theology and Philosophy Program, Claremont School of Theology, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Genesis; Exegesis; Vegetarianism; Ethics; Theology
