Parker’s Back Published 1965 in Everything That Rises Must Converge

Flannery O’Connor Born and lived in Georgia, Born and lived in Georgia, Catholic in “Christ-haunted” Protestant South Catholic in “Christ-haunted” Protestant South Typifies “Southern Gothic” style Typifies “Southern Gothic” style “Grotesque” characters, very flawed “Grotesque” characters, very flawed Explores Southern social and moral tensions Explores Southern social and moral tensions Stories often center on a moment of grace Stories often center on a moment of grace Usually violent Usually violent “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful” “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful” Catholic: grace is given through a physical encounter (sacrament) Catholic: grace is given through a physical encounter (sacrament)

Discussion How do you understand Parker’s character? Sarah Ruth? How do you understand Parker’s character? Sarah Ruth? Why does he choose the Byzantine Christ? Why does he choose the Byzantine Christ? Why is he affected so deeply by the tattoo? Why is he affected so deeply by the tattoo? Why does Sarah think the tattoo is idolatrous, if she clearly believes in Christ? Why does Sarah think the tattoo is idolatrous, if she clearly believes in Christ? What does her response reveal about her character and “religiousness”? What does her response reveal about her character and “religiousness”? Other questions?? Other questions??

The burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6) Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Jonah Folk tale/prophetic story in Hebrew Scriptures Folk tale/prophetic story in Hebrew Scriptures God commands Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness God commands Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness Jonah goes in the opposite direction Jonah goes in the opposite direction Gets on ship Gets on ship Ship encounters storm Ship encounters storm Sailors decide Jonah’s disobedience has made God angry, throw him off the ship Sailors decide Jonah’s disobedience has made God angry, throw him off the ship Waters calm instantly Waters calm instantly

Obadiah Elihue Obadiah Obadiah Prophet of Hebrew Scriptures Prophet of Hebrew Scriptures Meaning: servant of the Lord (YHWH) Meaning: servant of the Lord (YHWH) Elihue Elihue Friend of Job in Hebrew Scriptures Friend of Job in Hebrew Scriptures Meaning: It was God indeed Meaning: It was God indeed

For next time Skip Melito; Read Monday’s assignment (Athanasius) Skip Melito; Read Monday’s assignment (Athanasius) Read intro and Chidester first Read intro and Chidester first Track Athansius’ argument Track Athansius’ argument What do his opponents say? What do his opponents say? How are they “Jewish”? How are they “Jewish”? How is the Logos like God, for Athanasius? How is the Logos like God, for Athanasius? In what ways is Christ truly human? In what ways is Christ truly human? How does Christ’s union of human and divine “save” humanity? What benefits does this offer to human beings? How does Christ’s union of human and divine “save” humanity? What benefits does this offer to human beings?