The understanding of the woman’s essence from the perspective of Trinitarian unity in Christianity

Abstract

The question of a woman’s role from the religious point of view was appealed to by philosophers and scholars of Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Era of modern times and among of them Jewish wise men should be mentioned first of all: Rashi, Rambam, Maimonides; the Fathers of Christian church: Tertullian, Ignatius of Antioch, Irinius and others.

The problem of a woman was not overlooked by the German classical philosophy. E. Kant, in particular, considered that the problem of a woman was more philosophical than that of a man. However, there was a tendency to idealization which was shown in perception of a Ukrainian woman and this is a characteristic of Ukrainian national character,  that is why the theme is relevant and essential for the formation of a positive figure of a woman and her awareness of her purpose.

The article clarifies a philosophical view of a woman’s being, which can be viewed as a function of a woman’s beginning in general, where the difference in sexes does not just serve its natural purpose to continue the human race and differentiate social roles, but is called to implement a trinitarian lifestyle, namely the mutual exchange of life within the established world. So, all this means that in the understanding of church anthropology the difference of sexes does not just serve its natural purpose to continue the human race and differentiate social roles – but differentiation which determines the existence of a family as a “cell” of public life.

First of all, the difference and mutual attraction of opposite sexes are called to lead to the implementation of their natural purpose, the desire, laid in nature: they must implement a trinitarian lifestyle, namely the mutual exchange of life within the established world. And the final aim is deification, reunification of man with God.

The methods of analysis, synthesis and analogy of scientific literatures and sources were used in the research. The sacred texts of biblical traditions as well as the works of Gregory Nysky, Chrystos Yannaras are analyzed in detail in the article.

The article materials can be used by the specialists in the field of religious and philosophical studies, by students and professors while writing scientific papers, as well as at lectures, connected with studying philosophy and religious studies.