DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.193049.1 ISSN: 2046-1402

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE IN-BETWEEN SPACE: A QUEER HERMENEUTIC READING OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH IN ACTS 8:26–40

Odorico Romansa Daputra, Meryanti Noni Yakobet Dulli, Norce Adu, ⁠Dian Pailaka, Ronaldo Steven Uly Djami, ⁠Devita Finit, Syella Helleneda, Trijuliani Renda, Yohanes Marno Nigha Nigha, Eunike Molebila
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Background The account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26–40 is frequently seen as a Narrative of transformation and a chronicle of intercultural outreach. Nevertheless, scant focus has been directed upon the liminality of the eunuch, who occupies a position at the convergence of social, religious, and corporeal identities. This research examines the manner in which the story portrays the eunuch as a transitional figure. It explores how the Holy Spirit functions outside the confines of identity norms. Methods The research uses narrative-critical hermeneutics through a queer lens. It examines the elements of narrative (narrator, story, characters, setting, and rhetoric) in Acts 8:26–40. The queer lens is used to expose introspective theological tensions and to explore possibilities for queering within the story. The study also points to intertextual links between the Trito-Isaianic and Deuteronomistic traditions. Results The research indicates that the author of Acts has deliberately guided the story to the eunuch’s acceptance of baptism, without clarifying his identity. The story retains the eunuch as a liminal being located in between social, religious and physical confines. There is a strong link between Acts 8:26–40 and Isaiah 56 as a challenge to the restrictions of the Deuteronomistic tradition (Deuteronomy 23:1). Conclusions The story of the Ethiopian eunuch shows the specific activity of the Spirit who takes the marginalized and makes them full members of God’s people. The pneumatological dimension of the story implies that the Holy Spirit travels “on the silent path”, which means that the common perception of God’s presence is temporarily suspended. The activity of the Holy Spirit does not conform to predefined human identity frameworks but perpetually unveils new realms of Confrontation with peripheral realities hitherto deemed alien and overlooked.

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