Date of Award

9-2023

Document Type

Thesis - SCU Access Only

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024

Degree Name

Master of Theology (Th.M)

Abstract

In his seminal work, Reimagining the Human Theological Anthropology In Response to Systemic Evil, Eleazar S. Fernandez challenges the prevailing notion of disembodied thinking deeply entrenched in modern thought. Fernandez, along with a cohort of “hermeneutic companions,” articulate the urgency of embracing the embodied nature of human existence and confronting the hegemonic narratives that have stifled diverse voices. This thesis engages Fernandez’s call by weaving together a Native Feminist critical framework and an Ecowomanist praxis to explore the interplay between healing relationships with the Earth and mending fractured bonds between humans and livingkind.

This thesis begins by unpacking the historical trauma of colonial forces, leading to an embodied colonialism that reverberates through generations. Chapter 1 situates generational trauma within spatial contexts across time, tracing its transformation into internalized abuse, and exploring its philosophical roots in logical atomism and logical positivism of Late Modern times. Chapter 2 delves into a healing narrative, interweaving my own personal-spiritual, eco-geography alongside the transformative experiences of Indigenous women activists. Through their counter-force of love for Unci Maka (Mother Earth), self, and community, a praxis emerges that fosters healing with the land as a prerequisite for addressing the embodied colonialism inherited by individuals and communities alike. Chapter 3 extends the analysis by offering a critique of Native Theology’s exclusive focus on land-centric perspectives. It advocates for a more holistic embodied theology that honors the voices of Indigenous women within a diverse symphony of liberationist discourses. By privileging these voices, an enriched understanding of human embodiment emerges, catalyzing a transformative process in which connections between land, self, and community are redefined.

The central inquiry of this thesis is to explore the order of healing: must humans reconcile their relationship with Mother Earth before mending human relationships, or vice versa? Through a lens of différance and embracing ambiguity, I intend to navigate these queries while advocating for a collective return to the land. By attuning to the Earth’s cries, humans can begin to heal themselves and forge connections among diverse communities. In a time marked by unprecedented challenges such as racial strife, gendered violence and environmental (in)balance, the clarion call for healing resonates ever more urgently, and this thesis proposes an innovative roadmap forward through embodied Native Feminist and Ecowomanist praxi and inclusive dialogues.

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