Investigating the symbolism, identity and spirituality of the Kingdom of God through a comprehensive theology of the Garden of Eden is the subject of research by Notre Dame PhD candidate, James Cregan.
One of the most enduring images, and canonically the bedrock of the Christian faith tradition, the Garden of Eden – an environment created by God to facilitate and bless a relationship with Him – has inspired many works of art that centre on the origins and purpose of humankind.
However, Mr Cregan’s research suggests that this symbolism has now largely come to reflect the concerns of secular society rather than our relationship with God.
“The aim of my research is to provide an articulate and comprehensive theology of the Garden of Eden that can be used as a resource for open dialogue about its symbolic relevance to today’s interpretation of the Christian faith, and to counter some of the misconceptions about Eden that have developed over time,” Mr Cregan said.
“My research has examined the ongoing personalisation of Eden and how Edenic imagery has predominantly come to represent human desire rather than our spiritual connection with God.
“Furthermore, the transition in interpretation of the Garden of Eden between the Old and New Testaments is profound, as the Gospel writers use Edenic imagery to shape Jesus Christ’s identity as well as their own understanding of the Christ event.
“In essence, the nature and portrayal of the Garden of Eden has changed over time. I hope that this research can somehow contribute to a better understanding of Edenic imagery and how it informs our conception of the Kingdom of God.”
This study follows previous theological research conducted by Mr Cregan into the symbolism of ‘water as a blessing’, which examined the use of Edenic imagery in the Books of Ezekiel and Revelation.
“What the research makes clear is that rather than Edenic imagery being marginalised within the Christian story, of little significance to Jesus and His disciples, as some scholars claim, the Garden of Eden and its associated imagery is, both explicitly and implicitly, a central motif of the Gospel,” he said.
The title of Mr Cregan’s PhD study is The Garden of Eden through the Lens of New Testament Faith: Creation, Revelation and Redemption in Symbol, Narrative and Motif.