The figure of the woman in the Protoevangelium and the dispute of the sexes: An analysis on Genesis 3:15

2021 IJRSE – Volume 10 Issue 2
Special Luminary Issue on Education and Religion

Available Online: 4 December 2020

Author/s:

Canete, Jonathan James O.*
De La Salle University, Manila
La Salle College of Antipolo, Philippines (Ncanete976@gmail.com; Jonathan_james_canete@dlsu.edu.ph)

Abstract:

The book of Genesis tragically narrates the story of the fall of humanity from God’s grace through Adam and Eve’s sinful disobedience. This catastrophic event that marks the presence of corruption in man’s heart would not happen if not because of the woman. By blaming Eve, Adam explicitly magnified the female figure’s weakness and accused her of being detrimental to the male figure’s inherent perfection. The accusation of Adam continues up to the present state of humanity. Femininity is only considered as the second sex, while masculinity has been elevated to the altar of perfection. The present culture in many regions and countries exults patrimony while belittling femininity. This social condition is deeply manifested in how many interpreted the scripture, particularly the fall narrated in a unique way in Genesis 3:15. Many interpreters of the narrative of the fall still follow the “Adamic” mentality of blaming the woman as the primary agent of the fall. On the other hand, many would also embrace the patriarchal point of view regarding the Protoevangelium focusing on the seed rather than the woman’s figure as the primary agent in God’s salvific plan. Nevertheless, amid all these interpretations, the writer’s intention is still clandestine in the wonders of words and syntax of Genesis 3:15. Why he/she places the figure of the woman first before the seed, this study is an attempt to decipher the intention of the sacred writer and to redeem the figure of the woman who had been deeply abashed by the lingering patriarchal culture and patriarchal exegesis.

Keywords: Protoevangelium; woman; Exegesis; dispute; sexes

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2020.5726

Cite this article:
Canete, J. J. O. (2021). The figure of the woman in the Protoevangelium and the dispute of the sexes: An analysis on Genesis 3:15. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 10(2), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2020.5726

*Corresponding Author