Christian Faith and the Earth: Current Paths and Emerging Horizons in Ecotheology

Description

Christianity has often been accused for being complicit in ecological destruction. In response, Christian ecotheology offers both a Christian critique of environmental destruction and an ecological critique of Christianity. It thus encourages an ecological reformation of the Christian tradition for the sake of the whole earth. This volume focuses such a dual critique on the content and significance of the Christian faith in order to confront those aspects that may undermine an environmental praxis, ethos and spirituality. Each of the essays explores one of the core Christian symbols, seeks to capture the current state of the debate in this regard, identifies emerging horizons for such an ecological reformation and invites conversation on the road ahead. This volume includes essays on the trinity, Christology, pneumatology, creation, anthropology, natural suffering, providence, sin and salvation, the nature, governance, ministries and missions of the church, eschatological consummation, a Christian ethos, the role of liturgy, religious plurality andunderlying methodological problems. It thus complements several other discourses in ecotheology on biblical hermeneutics, a retrieval of particular traditions, environmental ethics, animal studies, ecclesial praxis, Christian missions and religion and ecology. The volume captures insights emerging from a collaborative research project on 'Christian Faith and the Earth' in which more than one hundred leading ecotheologians from six continents participated since 2007. It builds on the culminating conference of this project held in Cape Town in August 2012.It extends the conversation on the road ahead through inputs from contributing authors and various respondents. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents 1 Discourse on Christian Faith and the Earth Ecotheology as part of an ecological reform movement within Christianity Conflicting discourses in ecotheology The Christian Faith and the Earth Project An outline of the volume 2 Where on Earth Is God? Exploring an Ecological Th eology of the Trinity in the Tradition of Athanasius Trinity in act: Creating a universe of creatures Trinity in act: Deification of human beings and of the natural world Conclusion: Where on Earth is God? 3 Who on Earth Is Jesus Christ? Plumbing the Depths of Deep Incarnation Introduction The Word became flesh Deep incarnation, death and theo-drama Deep incarnation and pneumatology Deep incarnation, presence and action Possible ways forward 4 Where on Earth Does the Spirit ‘Take Place’ Today? Considerations on Pneumatology in the Light of the Global Environmental Crisis ‘Come, Holy Spirit, Come!’ The all-embracing space and eco-liberation movement of the spirit The Triune’s inhabitation: The spatial turn in pneumatology The Holy Spirit among Spirits: An animist countervailing power against fetishism 5 What Is the Place of the Earth in God’s Economy? Doing Justice to Creation, Salvation and Consummation The whole work of God Creation theology revisited Soteriology revisited Eschatology revisited Why is it so difficult to do justice to bothcreation and salvation alike? How is the plot of the story structured? ‘Creation’ as a counter-intuitive redescription and ascription of the world 6 Does God’s Care Make Any Diff erence? Theological Reflection on the Suffering of God’s Creatures The problem The traditional solution A compound theodicy Current paths Emerging horizons What difference does God’s care make? God’s longing 7 The Re-homing of the Human? A Theological Enquiry into whether Human Beings Are at Home on Earth ‘Home’ is the answer but what is the question? The defeat of theology? Rival responses to defeat The postcolonial critique A material logic Towards a theology of re-homing 8 Where on Earth Is the Church? Theological Reflection on the Nature, Mission, Governance and Ministry of the Church amidst the Global Environmental Crisis Introduction The nature of the church Theology and mission Eco-mission Governance and ministry Practical eco-mission Issues requiring attention Conclusion 9 What Are the Resources for Building a Christian Ethos in a Time of Ecological Devastation? Introduction Trends in the theological reception of environmental ethics What are appropriate ethical concepts? Towards a new ethos: Developing theologically informed ecological ethics 10 Where May the Praise of God’s Creatures Still Be Heard? Liturgy, Life and Land Liturgical theology and ecological theology The ecological potential of liturgy: General insights The ecological potential of liturgy: Specific contributions from Orthodox liturgy Future directions 11 Where Do We Go from Here? Methodology, Next Steps, Social Change Religion and Ecology: An overview Methodological challenges in religion/theology and ecology Where do we go from here? General reflections Conclusion 12 A Christian Th eological Discourse on Integral Life in the Context of Asian Civilization Convivial life as the focus of our discourse The core dynamics of the convergence of all living beings as an axial pivot for reflection A fresh theological perspective is demanded Radical social implications of convergent technology Th e messianic vision of ‘technopia' Reassessing our faith traditions Discerning the presence of the God of life A faith stance! A concluding word Bibliography List of Contributors Author Index Subject Index