Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024
Degree Name
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Director
Gina Hens-Piazza
Abstract
The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:4b-3:24 has been extensively interpreted through a lens of crime and punishment, guilt, moral culpability, and the original sin of pride, becoming a fixed tale of “the fall” and expulsion from Eden. This dominant view, entrenched for centuries, particularly in Western Christianity, neglects alternative perspectives. Drawing from biblical studies, psycho-social research, theology, and spirituality, this interdisciplinary endeavor seeks to present an alternative reading that emphasizes original relationships and suffering over moralistic judgment. Inspired by arguments suggesting the traumatic origins of biblical texts and informed by clinical social work, the project employs attachment theory and trauma research to offer a fresh perspective on this familiar narrative.
The methodology integrates literary and narrative criticism with theories from various disciplines, challenging the dominant interpretation by embracing complementary hermeneutics of memory, hunger, and generosity toward the story and its characters. By adopting this approach, the project aims to excavate unconsidered possibilities within the text, inviting readers to engage with the story with renewed curiosity and compassion.
The chapter overview outlines the trajectory of the project, from defining the dominant narrative and tracing its evolution to moving toward a compelling reinterpretation of Genesis as a story of trauma and resilience. Each chapter contributes to the overarching goal of presenting Genesis 2-3 as text of trauma and resilience, resonating with contemporary concerns and enriching the spiritual journey of readers.
This project holds significance across multiple fields, contributing to ongoing conversations in biblical studies, trauma-sensitive approaches to Christian theology and praxis, and spirituality. It offers a novel perspective that can enhance understanding of self, others, and the divine, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma. Liberating the narrative from constricting interpretations opens possibilities for readers to relate to scripture in fresh, transformative ways.
Recommended Citation
Alt, Christopher E., "A Clinical Social Worker Reads Genesis 2:4b - 3:24: Enlisting Attachment Theory and Trauma Studies for an Alternative Interpretation of the Classic Genesis Story of the Fall" (2024). Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations. 134.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst_dissertations/134