Tastes that Transform: Eating Foods from Other Realms

Summary

Meredith Warren of the Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies explores the concept of 'hopy,' the eating of divine food by mortals, through ancient texts like the *Testament of Abraham* and *Revelation*. She illustrates how consuming such food symbolizes transformation and the transmission of divine knowledge. Using Alice's adventures in *Alice in Wonderland* as a parallel, she highlights how food serves as a bridge between realms. Warren emphasizes the intimacy created through sharing food across cultures, advocating for further exploration of this trope in various academic fields to better understand its enduring significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story of Abraham and the Archangel Michael illustrates the difference between divine and earthly food, emphasizing that angels cannot consume mortal food.
• 😀 The concept of 'hopy' describes the act of consuming divine food and its transformative effects on humans, linking them to higher realms.
• 😀 Three primary outcomes arise from the consumption of heavenly food: transportation to another realm, physical transformation, and the transmission of divine knowledge.
• 😀 In the Book of Revelation, John of Patmos eats a scroll, leading to his ability to prophesy, showcasing the transformative power of divine food.
• 😀 Divine food is often characterized as sweet, creating a contrast with mortal food and reinforcing the connection between taste and divinity.
• 😀 The consumption of food from another realm can create intimate bonds, linking the eater to the origin of that food.
• 😀 The narrative trope of consuming divine or otherworldly food is prevalent across various cultures and texts, from ancient times to modern literature.
• 😀 Greek mythology features divine beings consuming ambrosia and nectar, further emphasizing the distinction between divine and human sustenance.
• 😀 The exploration of hopy reveals its significance across disciplines such as literature, anthropology, and folklore studies, calling for further research.
• 😀 The interaction between food and knowledge in ancient texts illustrates broader themes of transformation and connection between different realms.

Q & A

What is the main concept introduced by Meredith Warren in her talk?

Meredith Warren introduces the concept of 'hopy,' a term she coined to describe the act of consuming heavenly food by mortal beings in ancient texts.

What story does Warren reference to illustrate her point about divine and mortal food?

Warren references 'The Testament of Abraham,' where the Archangel Michael struggles with the earthly food prepared by Abraham, highlighting the boundary between heavenly and earthly realms.

What solution does God provide to Michael regarding the problem of eating earthly food?

God sends a 'Spirit of eating' to Michael, allowing him to appear to eat the earthly food without actually consuming it, thus respecting the divine boundary.

What are the three potential outcomes when a mortal consumes heavenly food, according to Warren?

The three outcomes are: 1) Transportation to another realm, 2) Physical transformation of the individual, and 3) Transmission of divine knowledge.

How does the story of Alice in Wonderland relate to the concept of hopy?

Alice must consume specific foods to access Wonderland, paralleling how mortals in ancient texts must eat heavenly food to transform and access divine realms.

What peculiar action does John of Patmos take in the Book of Revelation?

John eats a scroll given to him by an angel, which initially tastes sweet but becomes bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the acquisition of divine knowledge.

What does the sweetness of divine food signify in ancient texts?

The sweetness of divine food often signifies its heavenly origin, as seen in various mythologies and biblical references.

What is the significance of food in creating bonds according to Warren's analysis?

Eating food from different realms creates intimate bonds, as exemplified by Paul's letters that link eating with spiritual partnerships and associations.

How does Warren suggest hopy is relevant in contemporary contexts?

Warren suggests that the concept of hopy has a long-lasting impact, appearing in various cultural narratives from ancient texts to modern films and folklore.

What is the overall purpose of Warren's exploration of hopy?

Warren aims to enhance understanding across multiple disciplines—literature, anthropology, film studies, and folklore—regarding the significance of consuming food from other realms.