A Bird’s Eye View on Theology of Toilet

ABSTRACT

Feces symbolizes dirtiness and disgust. Hence the reason why people use expressions related to ‘feces’ when they criticize other people. Furthermore, ‘feces’ is often regarded as an evil object which must be removed for its link to numerous infections and diseases such as cholera. This article, based on such perception, explores the biblical usage of feces and aims to reflect theological meaning of ‘dung’ or ‘toilet.’ First, this article points out that (1) feces in biblical context has two meanings. First meaning could be discovered from the tradition of priests’ law of purification which paints feces as a negative object. Such definition was strengthened later in the Qumran community. Second, however, Jesus did not entirely deny the Jewish purification law on the surface, but reinterpreted feces to overcome the tradition of Judaism and provide greater value in the context of ‘Kingdom of God.’ As shown in the analogy of “fruitless fig tree”(Lk13:6-9), it is greatly unique how feces is repainted as ‘manuer’ for ‘Kingdom of God.’ Next, this article (2) introduces four different perspectives of theology of toilet as a theological reflection of feces and toilet culture. First, in the perspective of ecological theology, feces should be understood as God’s creation rather than a mere negative figure. Therefore, salvation of feces is necessary. Second, in perspective of conversational theology, feces requires varieties of communicative research. However, studies on feces hardly been done in theological academia. Therefore, for the development of theology of toilet, active interactions and conversations regarding literature, psychology, and life science of feces are required. Third, feces could be utilized as a criticism for modern civilization and church under capitalism in the perspective of critical theology. Fourth, in the perspective of sacramental spirituality, feces is viewed as an object of disgust, but could also be understood as sacramental existence like “heaven inside dung.”