Just published at Reality: a journal for philosophical discourse, Professor Catherine Brown Tkacz has authored a magnificent, erudite, and challenging article on the manner in which the incarnating of Christ realizes the imageo Dei in the female human person.
ABSTRACT: This article explores the concept of the imago Dei (image of God) as manifested uniquely in female human persons. The study begins with the Biblical affirmation in Genesis that both male and female are created in God’s image, emphasizing spiritual equality yet acknowledging the significance of sexual differences. This leads to the proposal that sexual differences might reflect distinct ways in which men and women express the image of God. The work delves into the biological complementarity of sexes, noting modern scientific findings on sexual interdependence and the unique aspects of the female. It further examines how the Incarnation, specifically the role of the Virgin Mary, introduced a new personal dimension to human-divine relationships. This aspect is explored through Gospel narratives, highlighting how women’s interactions with Jesus may reveal distinctive aspects of the female imago Dei. Additionally, the study considers female personifications in biblical prophecy, examining their contribution to understanding the female aspect of human nature and the imago Dei. The interdisciplinary approach of this project, encompassing natural sciences, biblical studies, and theology, aligns with the theology of the body articulated by St. John Paul II and resonates with St. Edith Stein’s concept of the “feminine singularity,” suggesting a uniquely female charism in the expression of the imago Dei.
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