Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 90 No. 2, 2020.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
The Human Being – A Being of Relation (Gen 2:4b-25)
Silvana Fužinato
orcid.org/0000-0002-6777-1526
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet u Đakovu Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Đakovo, Hrvatska
Sažetak
By looking for an answer to the question »Who is the human being?« in the light of the second account of creation (Gen 2:4b-25) that represents one of the starting points of the Biblical anthropology, this article argues that the human being is a deeply relational being. As such, he/she can be fully realised only in encounter and dialogue with the other. The first part of the article establishes the human being’s relation towards earth that is manifested in God’s creation of the human being from dust into which he breathes in the breath of his life and in the human being’s responsible care for the gift of earth that has been entrusted to him/her. The human being’s relation toward God is the topic of the second part. That relation is characterised by God’s care for the human being and for protecting the life that has been given to him/her. This protection is especially shown in the garden in which the human being had everything he/she needed, in the naming of animals through which he/she participates in God’s act of creation, and in God’s prohibition not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, through which God invites the human being to accept personal limits. The third part is dedicated to the relation that is established between a man and a woman and through which the human being leaves behind the tragic situation of loneliness by finding help equal to him/her. Together, the two form unity that is based on belonging to each other, being dedicated to each other, being equal and complementary. The final part of the article presents some of the fundamental characteristics of the human being as a being of relation, presented as such in the second account of creation. These include living out the truth about oneself and the other, accepting and respecting the mystery, difference, and responsibility for the gift and the mission that has been entrusted to him/her. The human being – an earthly being that carries the breath of God’s live within – can emerge from the deadly situation of loneliness and realise himself/herself fully only in the relation to the other who stands in front of him/her and in whose face he/she can recognise his/her own face in dialogue and in the attitude of mutual acceptance and belonging to each other, in helping each other and being responsible.
Ključne riječi
relation; God; human being; woman; earth.
Hrčak ID:
243109
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.8.2020.
Posjeta: 2.035 *