REREADING EVE: THEOSIS IN EDEN, THE WOMB, AND THE TOMB

This paper offers a unique rereading of Eve from Genesis in light of Orthodox theology as a form of resistance to the sexism and misogyny in the contemporary Church. It departs from the dominant “Eve-new Eve” interpretation, in which Eve is the quintessential woman who brought sin through disobedience and the Theotokos is “new Eve” who brought the savior through obedience. This paper introduces an alternative interpretation, which it calls “shared theosis.” It argues that Eve, the Theotokos, and Mary Magdalene all seek communion with God at different points along a theotic journey of free will, discernment, and synergy. "Shared theosis" replaces the leitmotif of obedience from "Eve-new Eve" with theosis and characterizes the Eve-Theotokos relationship as continuity rather than contrast. It more fully reflects Orthodox eucharistic cosmology that sees the “world as a church" where the human person acts as a priest, bringing all creation into union with God.