This is where vocabulary can really mess things up, especially the word literally…
On a scientific level, sharing the same humanity means they are members of the same species. Those interested in the biology or anthropology of the human species should go to the Back Fence Forum.
On the philosophical level, sharing the same humanity means that they have the same human nature which is an unique unification of the material/non-material; rational/corporeal; spirit/matter; soul and body. Both Eve and Adam are created in the Image of God. This means that they are able to know and love God.
“Being man” or “being woman” is a reality. They are equal as real persons–“bone of my bones”. The last sentence in paragraph 371,
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, is “Man discovers woman as another “I,” sharing the same humanity.” If one insists on using the word literally, one can say that Eve and Adam were literally made for each other as they both have the same literal human nature.
Regarding the rib thing. That’s small potatoes in comparison to all the good things the universal
Catechism says about woman and man. What is so difficult about the words “formation of Eve” when Scripture talks about Adam whom God “had formed” out of clay? (
Genesis 2: 7- 8)
When in doubt, I use the universal
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, as the definitive source for Catholic teachings. Paragraph 371 says: The woman God “fashions” from the man’s rib…" Please note the quotation marks around “fashions”. Formed and fashions basically mean that God is in charge of creating our first ancestors as true humans.
It is interesting that
Humani Generis, Section 36, references the scientific inquiries “into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God.” CCC 365 says: The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the 'form" of the body: i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body…"
How did God form both Eve and Adam? It seems to me that God’s creation of the spiritual soul is what makes Eve and Adam true humans. If that stupendous act of God involves some clay and a rib, so be it.
Blessings,
granny
Basic Catholic teaching **regarding Eve and Adam **
is found in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, ISBN: 1-57455-109-4
Paragraphs 355-421.
The good news of Jesus Christ follows in Paragraph 422, etc.
One can put the word paragraph and its number in the
Catechism’s search bar in link
www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
Entering topics is also very useful since the
Catechism does expand on the basics and implications. . Do check out the references in the margins and in the Index.
When one enters a paragraph number, like “paragraph 355”, and then clicks on the opening line,
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 355 the following is under the paragraph:
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»Table of Contents
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