Lilith Study Guide
Also, here are the links to a couple of posts I wrote awhile back about MacDonald's Lilith.
Lilith Redeemed
Lilith
MacDonald took the Jewish myth and Christianized it. In his version, Lilith is restored to who she was supposed to be in the first place. It is a phantasy novel. In fact, MacDonald is credited with being the father of the phantasy genre. He had a huge impact on both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Here are some characteristics of the mythical Lilith. It's pretty creepy, actually, and has nothing whatsoever to do with the Biblical account found in Genesis 1 and 2. Lilith was, allegedly, Adam's first wife who obviously went off the rails, thinking that she was finding true freedom. She refused to return to her husband and live as a wife was supposed to live.
Adam and Lilith never found peace together; for when he wished to lie with her, she took offence at the recumbent posture he demanded. 'Why must I lie beneath you?' she asked. 'I also was made from dust, and am therefore your equal.' Because Adam tried to compel her obedience by force, Lilith, in a rage, uttered the magic name of God, rose into the air and left him.
Adam complained to God: 'I have been deserted by my helpmeet' God at once sent the angels Senoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof to fetch Lilith back. They found her beside the Red Sea, a region abounding in lascivious demons, to whom she bore lilim at the rate of more than one hundred a day. 'Return to Adam without delay,' the angels said, `or we will drown you!' Lilith asked: `How can I return to Adam and live like an honest housewife, after my stay beside the Red Sea?? 'It will be death to refuse!' they answered. `How can I die,' Lilith asked again, `when God has ordered me to take charge of all newborn children: boys up to the eighth day of life, that of circumcision; girls up to the twentieth day. None the less, if ever I see your three names or likenesses displayed in an amulet above a newborn child, I promise to spare it.' To this they agreed; but God punished Lilith by making one hundred of her demon children perish daily; [5] and if she could not destroy a human infant, because of the angelic amulet, she would spitefully turn against her own. [6]
So, when I talk about Lilith feminism, this is what I mean. She abandoned her helpmeet duties. She did not want a man who would dominate her sexually. She wanted to destroy children. She did not want to be a wife, and she destroyed even children she bore. She gave herself to many lovers, and thought she was free.
There are other interesting details in the Gnosis Archive, like the idea of androgyny and the creation of Adam. The Bible does not say that Adam was androgynous, but part of the Lilith Myth involves androgyny. Creepy stuff.
This is a far cry from, say, Susan B. Anthony, pro-life, pro-marriage feminism. It is a far cry from feminists like G.E.M. Anscombe or Dorothy Sayers. In fact, Sayers refused to call herself a feminist because she did not want to identify herself with the progressive women's movement. She was a Conservative. Both of these women were devout Catholics.
Why do I want to write about this freaky Lilith myth? It strikes fear in my heart, actually. I would rather write about and share videos of cute little kittens. Suffice it to say that in certain discussions during which I used to crash and burn, at times, the spirit of Lilith manifested itself. She is alive and well, even among some who call themselves Evangelicals, sad to say. Now, it might cost me something to say that. I shall see.
I think that George MacDonald was aware of Lilith's presence in his time as well. He wrote his book showing the way for Lilith's redemption and recreation through the Gospel. So, for the sake of the Gospel and of truth, I am willing to take the risk.
No comments:
Post a Comment