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Jan. 29th, 2003 08:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sophiaserpentiaI am a citizen of the cosmic tribe.
"Cosmic tribe" is a phrase I have chosen to translate he^ basileia twn ouranwn.
It is not a very literal translation, unfortunately. "Cosmos" of course does not match "Ouranos," and a "tribe" is barely the same as a "kingdom." But the problem is that squatters have already laid claims to all the connotations on "kingdom of heaven" and the phrase is now too loaded. Also, in modern parlance a tribe is something that one can join voluntarily. To join a kingdom one has to get a visa, apply for citizenship, etc. (Holding my tongue in my cheek has no affect on my typing speed. Hmm.)
"Cosmos" implies a guiding order behind the "way of things." I do not believe the universe is ordered in the classic sense, but I do believe there is a guiding principle that directs it without taking direct action. (Anyone still reading this rant and wondering what I mean is referred to in the "Commentary" in this post.)
YES, I know it sounds hokey and new-agey. That's the reason I chose it -- it's impossible to take it seriously. But it also captures, IMO, the sense of what it was that the early Christians envisioned and aspired to.
Metanoew, the word commonly translated "Repent!," might be translated "I think with." Or, IOW, "my thinking is aligned." This could easily be an esoteric term referring to a kind of mental discipline, wherein the mind becomes aligned to the watercourse way. Or it could simply mean "get with it!"
So the message of Jesus is perhaps not "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." It is "Get with it and join the cosmic tribe!"
"Cosmic tribe" is a phrase I have chosen to translate he^ basileia twn ouranwn.
It is not a very literal translation, unfortunately. "Cosmos" of course does not match "Ouranos," and a "tribe" is barely the same as a "kingdom." But the problem is that squatters have already laid claims to all the connotations on "kingdom of heaven" and the phrase is now too loaded. Also, in modern parlance a tribe is something that one can join voluntarily. To join a kingdom one has to get a visa, apply for citizenship, etc. (Holding my tongue in my cheek has no affect on my typing speed. Hmm.)
"Cosmos" implies a guiding order behind the "way of things." I do not believe the universe is ordered in the classic sense, but I do believe there is a guiding principle that directs it without taking direct action. (Anyone still reading this rant and wondering what I mean is referred to in the "Commentary" in this post.)
YES, I know it sounds hokey and new-agey. That's the reason I chose it -- it's impossible to take it seriously. But it also captures, IMO, the sense of what it was that the early Christians envisioned and aspired to.
Metanoew, the word commonly translated "Repent!," might be translated "I think with." Or, IOW, "my thinking is aligned." This could easily be an esoteric term referring to a kind of mental discipline, wherein the mind becomes aligned to the watercourse way. Or it could simply mean "get with it!"
So the message of Jesus is perhaps not "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." It is "Get with it and join the cosmic tribe!"
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no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 06:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 07:36 am (UTC)KJV is basically a "multi-babelized" version of what was actually thought, believed, and discussed by Christians in First Century Syria and Asia Minor.
translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 07:01 am (UTC)On your choice of translation...
metanoew is comprised of meta and the root from which noos, mind, comes from. Meta is better understood as a turning as opposed to "with". It is a changing of the direction of one's mind as opposed to using the prefix in the form of a dative of instrument/means.
sorry. it's the Greek tutor in me...
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 07:27 am (UTC)Would the implication of "aligning one's mind" be off-kilter with regards to metanoew? I was being facetious of course by suggesting "get with it," but then I'm easily amused in a geeky way.
Bear in mind I am coming from a somewhat esoteric point of view, where "aligning one's mind" would have certain mystical implications. Many of the meditation and contemplation exercises used by monastics seem to have this goal and effect, and it is the monastic element of Christian society that has provided the literature, imagery, and music that inspires me most.
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 07:37 am (UTC)Actually, not at all. Both Paul and Jesus write about aligning one's mind to that of God. I've done a bit of work on that idea concerning hubris and miasma, actually.
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 07:59 am (UTC)Good, thanks! As always I'm stumbling through this relying mainly on instinct.
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 08:03 am (UTC)Both Paul and Jesus write about aligning one's mind to that of God.
That was my instinctive reading even before delving too much into the original Greek.
I've done a bit of work on that idea concerning hubris and miasma, actually.
Have you commented on this at all in your LJ or online? I'd be interested in seeing it.
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-29 08:23 am (UTC)In the meantime, there is a forthcoming book by a professor on mine concerning rhetoric and Paul's Romans. I believe it involves metanoia (and she cites me). She also takes traditional interpretation of Romans 1 to task, severely, as well. I'll let you know when it comes out.
Re: translation and commentary.
Date: 2003-01-30 05:31 am (UTC)Anything you can recommend on the possible use of "Theogonic" terminology in Pauline literature would be of interest as well. A Gnostic scholar I correspond with has touched on this by noting the possible apperance of of Hesiod's terminology in Pauline scripture. It definitely piqued my curiosity.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 08:05 am (UTC)This was what my Biblical studies professor said the translation should be and we had a long discussion about how fundamentally (heh) that changes the whole message of the Jesus gospels - nevermind how that way of thought could change how Fundamentalists view Christianity.
I like the concept of "cosmic tribe". Coming from a tribal background, I find myself wanting to point out that in a tribal society there is a very strong history of valuing uniqueness and accepting individuality and human diversity. Thus, to me, joining the cosmic tribe and continuing to work on aligning my mind sound like very good things indeed.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 08:21 am (UTC)A "cosmic tribe" or "cosmopolis" would have to be one that values diversity while encouraging some focus on that which binds us together.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 08:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-29 08:44 am (UTC)