The Cognitive Phenomenology of Doors in the Book of Revelation

A Spatial Analysis

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3471981
AutoresJolyon G R Pruszinski (0000-0002-0965-0144, Princeton Theological Seminary, autor correspondente)
Ano2019
Volume10
Fascículo3
Páginas194
Data de publicação2019-03-14
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel10030194
OpenAlexW2922525192
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas18

Following Rowland's and Foucault's respective observations that apocalypses are not necessarily temporal, and that historical analyses have diverted attention unduly from spatial phenomena, this paper examines Revelation using a spatial hermeneutic, comparing it to the semi-contemporaneous Parables of Enoch. Analyzing ostensibly similar spaces that are presented divergently, the paper focuses particular attention on "doorway" phenomena in Revelation. Recent research in cognitive psychology by Radvansky et al. suggests that passing through a doorway has a measurable cognitive effect, inducing forgetfulness of prior thoughts. Revelation employs doorway and gateway language repeatedly, while Parables of Enoch does not. The respective spatial emphases of Revelation and Parables suggest diverging engagements with a traumatized material world. References in Parables of Enoch to oppressive landowners and transformative goals for the earth suggest a continuing critical engagement with the material world. The lack of comparable language in Revelation suggests a comparatively more escapist perspective. Revelation combines polemic against all the "inhabitants of the earth", an emphasis on the replacement of the old order, and the use of compensatory cultic language to orient the reader away from the existing material world. The parallel narrative employment of doorway language suggests an operative governing psychology of separation and forgetfulness in Revelation

Aesthetics · Art · Developmental psychology · Epistemology · Linguistics · Literature · Narrative · Revelation · Transformative learning · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Philosophy · Psychology