Desiring Conversion: Hermas, Thecla, Aseneth. By DIANE LIPSETT.

Abstract

Philosophers, social and other psychologists, theologians, and, of course, novelists and poets continue in our day to explore changes in convictions and lifestyles, perhaps focusing on changes in desire as controlling or controlled. Some may glance back to ancient discussions among Greek and Latin Platonists and Stoics. Fully aware of the latter, noted in her brief introduction, Lipsett engagingly and fruitfully invites us, rather, to consider the often intricately nuanced and dialectical reflections on desire and conversion to be found in two ancient ‘theological’ romances (Thecla and Asenath) and in the imaginative, introspective (and prolix) narratives of Hermas (The Shepherd), taken as late second- or early third-century writings, Asenath (or Joseph and Asenath) as Jewish, the other two clearly Christian; all three are discussed in critical debate with a range of recent and older scholars. Hermas’ conversion is long drawn out, and not clearly complete even by the end, though he has moved, tortuously, discursively, self-critically, and self-doubtingly, from reprehensible desire for his erstwhile owner, Rhoda, to being ‘manly’ enough to deploy metaphors of erotic desire in pursuit of virtues, personified as seductive virgins, for whom no desire can be excessive. There are implications for Hermas’ household and church; and this, Lipsett points out, instances Michel Foucault's analysis of Christian self-knowledge (though not, apparently, Krister Stendahl's ‘introspective conscience of the west’).