Kenosis och Begär - En teologisk undersökning av spiritualitet, kroppslighet och bemyndigande i Etty Hillesums dagböcker och brev

Abstract

In the past decades a movement towards the mystical tradition has taken place in academic theology. This raises questions on gender and the relationship between human corporeality and the divine. In this essay the feminist theology of Sarah Coakley constitutes the theoretical framework of a theological reading of the diaries and letters of Etty Hillesum. The purpose of this hermeneutical task is to investigate the relationship between spirituality, corporeality and empowerment in Hillesums writings as well as investigating how such a reading can help to a wider understanding of these writings and how Hillesums writings in their turn can contribute to contemporary theological discussion on spirituality and feminism. Based on the key concepts of kenosis and desire in Coakleys theology this investigation contribute to the understanding of Hillesums writings by revealing a spirituality that is closely related to the corporeal in Hillesum and that plays an important part in her inner development as well as to her actions in response to oppression. However, though her spirituality engenders courage and strength, Hillesums death as a victim of the Holocaust, makes speech of empowerment complicated. Hillesum proves an interesting partner in dialogue with contemporary theology concerning spirituality and feminism as her writings pose a challenge to Coakleys theology by showing how the image of a God dependent on humans does not necessarily leave human beings in passivity and helplessness but can itself engender courage to action against oppression.