Who was Lilith according to Christianity?

[Proctor]

Please let me know who is Lilith according to Christianity.

There is plenty to read about her on google searches.

But I want to know what Christianity says about her.

 

[vespasia]

I think before I give any answer I would like to know why you are interested.

 

[Eastern Drifter]

Most Christians have never heard of Lilith, much less uphold any sort of belief about her.

 

[LewsTherin]

A character from Hebrew mythology I think. Some sort of feminist demon that kills babies. I don't think there's any Christia teachings about her.

 

[mark46]

There are no Christian teachings I am aware of.

There is much in Hebrew writings, including the Kaballah. One popular myth is that Lilith was Adam's first wife, before Eve.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

and here after all this time I thought Lilith was Frasier's ex wife on Cheers....

 

[PaladinValer]

Lilith is only a figure part of Jewish kaballah and the demonology of popular medieval spirituality. Fascinating subject, but no true theological merit to be had in it.

 

[mark46]

For many Jews, the creation of two women is a serious issue to be explained (one from the earth and one from Adam's rib). Lilith is the first, Adam's equal who who would not submit to Adam and was cast out and became a demon (and some say the serpent).

The easiest way for most to deal with this issue is to mis-translate Isaiah and assert that there was no such demon.

Isaiah 34:14 Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats - Online Bible Study Tools

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

 

[Adam Warlock]

This.

 

[Proctor]

I think before I give any answer I would like to know why you are interested.

Last two years of my searching for a path, I came across Lilith in the Jewish forums and was shocked to find that Adam may actually have had 2 wives. I obssessed and gave alot of concern to this fact. I then, followed my quest for Lilith to Kabbalah forums and even to the occult channel and demonology channels.

Since Old testament related writings are accepted in christianity, I was wondering if the idea of Lilith was also accepted.

Just curious. Just want to know what is ok to discuss among christians when I am among them in person. Dont want to be attacked for asking some in-appropriate question.

Thats all.

 

[PaladinValer]

The Old Testament doesn't mention Lilith except for one very questionable literalist interpretation of the Hebrew used.

Demonology is an interesting and fascinating subject, but serves no real purpose other than being a diversion and investigation into medieval superstition. No valuable theology can be gleaned from it. When we try to, the consequences are absolutely dire and deadly.

 

[mark46]

I agree with your comments regarding demonology.
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However, I don't think that we can dismiss the idea of two "wives" of Adam simply as a figment of our literalist imaginations. God created mankind from the dust of the earth, he created us male and female. LATER in Genesis, God sees that Adam needs a helpmate and He creates Eve out of Adam's rib. We all have our various ideas regarding hermeneutics. I don't think that we can dismiss the idea of two "wives" out of hand.

As Christians, we have a special relationship with the New Testament. We have spent centuries developing doctrines based on vague clues in Scripture (certainly this was true for the early centuries). Jews have a special relationship with the Torah and have spent thousands of years interpreting every word and letter of the five books of Moses. Surely the idea of two wives has more scriptural support than many of the ideas of some modern day Christian groups.

The Old Testament doesn't mention Lilith except for one very questionable literalist interpretation of the Hebrew used.

Demonology is an interesting and fascinating subject, but serves no real purpose other than being a diversion and investigation into medieval superstition. No valuable theology can be gleaned from it. When we try to, the consequences are absolutely dire and deadly.

 

[PaladinValer]

However, I don't think that we can dismiss the idea of two "wives" of Adam simply as a figment of our literalist imaginations. God created mankind from the dust of the earth, he created us male and female. LATER in Genesis, God sees that Adam needs a helpmate and He creates Eve out of Adam's rib. We all have our various ideas regarding hermeneutics. I don't think that we can dismiss the idea of two "wives" out of hand.

The Old Testament mentions only one wife of Adam: Eve.

Remember that Jesus is the Second Adam. He has only one wife, the Church. Does He have another?

Furthermore, we also need to remember that the second Creation Myth is the basis of the Holiness Code. The first Creation Myth is both the more ancient and, especially for Christians, the more significant, for men and women are equal in Christ. Both men and women are in God's Image and Likeness. The Hebrew uses Adam. When we apply the above information, then we see how significant the meaning here between St. Paul's words and the theology of Genesis 1.

That isn't to say Genesis 2 is useless, but we need to read it in the proper context. Women were regarded as lesser, and Genesis 2 allows such a view (Genesis 1 makes them EQUAL!). That is why in the holiness/ritual laws women were treated as inferiors.

As Christians, we have a special relationship with the New Testament. We have spent centuries developing doctrines based on vague clues in Scripture (certainly this was true for the early centuries). Jews have a special relationship with the Torah and have spent thousands of years interpreting every word and letter of the five books of Moses. Surely the idea of two wives has more scriptural support than many of the ideas of some modern day Christian groups.

Not all Jews accept Kabalah (I'd argue most don't). It is, in some respects, their own version of Demonology, and was later largely shaped by Gnosticism and Christian demonology as well. Furthermore, not being Jewish, I see no value in it for my own religious beliefs.

I'm saying the OT is void or "inferior," but that we should be mindful in how we interpret it. As Christians, we believe that our interpretation is right. Otherwise, we'd be Jews if we agreed with them! That isn't to suggest we don't agree; on most things we probably do, and I'd wager Lilith is one of them.

 

[vespasia]

Procter,
I have not always been a christian. As others have said C4th demonology may be intresting but its a diversion away from God and its wise to be wary of anything that points us away from God.
There is a piece of the OT that some attribute as a warning referance of Liliths character as 'daughter of howling' in the OT though not this particular name. As far as the DG goes most warn people to look at the nature shown rather than the label it has attached.

If your a bloke this is not a wise thing to try and look into either. It has earned its many names and be wary of any entity that claims to take only what you have to give!

 

[mark46]

Please provide support for the position that the sources of Genesis 1 are older than those of Genesis 2.

I suspect that treating Genesis 1 as being much more important has other theological ramifications in addition to the treatment of women.

.

The first Creation Myth is both the more ancient and, especially for Christians, the more significant, for men and women are equal in Christ. Both men and women are in God's Image and Likeness. The Hebrew uses Adam. When we apply the above information, then we see how significant the meaning here between St. Paul's words and the theology of Genesis 1.

That isn't to say Genesis 2 is useless, but we need to read it in the proper context. Women were regarded as lesser, and Genesis 2 allows such a view (Genesis 1 makes them EQUAL!). That is why in the holiness/ritual laws women were treated as inferiors.

 

[LewsTherin]

I've read that the source of the second creation account (Yahwist/Elohist) is older than the source of the first (the Priestly source) by 400 or so years. Both accounts are based on older oral traditions anyway though.

 

[mark46]

This is what I was taught in college so long ago. I was wondering whether PV had sources for his different understanding.

I've read that the source of the second creation account (Yahwist/Elohist) is older than the source of the first (the Priestly source) by 400 or so years. Both accounts are based on older oral traditions anyway though.

 

[wayseer]

Read Genesis 1: 27 and Genesis 5:2.

God created humankind, male and female, in his image.

The theology behind this argues that there is therefore no concept of 'original' sin. There was a falling away from God's ideal - but there was no concept of 'original' sin - how could there be other than God created evil, and sin, and Satan/Devil? There is no mention of 'original' sin in Genesis.

And guess the name of the woman ...

The whole idea of original sin was orchestrated sometime in Christianity for the sole purpose of subjugating women.

 

[vespasia]

God created partnership; whenever the balance is shifted by human struggles over power its ugly regardless.