“The Use of Critical Spatial Theory in a Canonical Reading of Genesis 1:1–2:25 and Revelation 21:1–22:5”

This thesis contributes toward the canonical interpretation of the Protestant canon by arguing for a placial reading of its bookends, Gen 1:1–2:25 and Rev 21:1–22:5. The thesis argues that canonical interpretation is best conducted by scholarly attention to two canonical missions. Both missions are portrayed in progress throughout the canon, and both relate conceptually to each other. Both produce their own subplot within the canonical narrative, one of which is about place and has been underdeveloped in canonical interpretation. To address this lacuna, the thesis focuses on the opening and closing of the canon, where place is the primary topic of discussion. To produce placial readings of these canonical bookends, the thesis must clarify what place is and explore how to analyze placial components and properties in canonical texts. Chapter One investigates the theory of place in the disciplines of philosophy and human geography, articulating placial components and properties and then establishing terms to use during the analysis of canonical texts. In Chapter Two the thesis explores the trends and lacunae in placial analysis within biblical studies since the “spatial turn.” In Chapter Three the thesis presents my proposal for placial analysis of canonical texts. In Chapter Four I employ my proposal to analyze the first creation account of Genesis, where the narration portrays God creating a placial world and issuing a placial mission to humankind for continued placemaking. Occurring at the opening of the canon, this text launches the placial mission and subplot. In Chapter Five I apply my proposal to the second creation account, in Gen 2:4b–25, wherein the placialization of God’s created world advances through the formation of a specific regional territory as a place for God and humans. In Chapter Six the thesis applies my proposal to the closing narrative of the canon, in Rev 21:1–22:5, wherein the mission and subplot of place achieves its long- awaited denouement in the canon. The ultimate objective of the thesis is to establish the importance of this placial mission and subplot for canonical interpretation, and then to create a process for future placial studies of the canon.