1,721,111 research outputs found
The Greening of Theology: The Ecological Models of Rosemary Radford Ruether, Joseph Sittler, and Jürgen Moltmann
This volume examines the contributions of three contemporary theologians -- Rosemary Radford Ruether, Joseph Sittler, and Jurgen Moltmann -- to the development of Christian ecological theology. Against the charge that the Christian tradition is ecologically bankrupt, the author demonstratesthe intellectual and spiritual resources available within Christianity for addressing ecological issues. Of particular interest are Ruether\u27s doctrine of God and her emphasis on ecojustice, Sittler\u27s cosmic Christology and reconception of the relation between nature and grace, and Motlmann\u27sdoctrine of the Holy Spirit and argument for social trinitarianism. Beyond evaluating the issues raised by Ruether, Sittler, and Moltmann, the author presents sixteen theses or desiderata for any adequate Christian ecological theology
Creation Care and Character: The Nature and Necessity of the Ecological Virtues
This article explores a neglected but significant area of research in ecological ethics, namely, virtue theory. More precisely, the author attempts to answer this cluster of questions: What exactly is a virtue? Are there particular virtues which arise from a biblically informed Christian ecological ethic? If so, what are those virtues? How important are they? Are they merely nice to have or are they necessary? The thesis is that certain virtues--like frugality, humility, and wisdom--are indispensable if Christians are to responsibly fulfill their calling to be earthkeepers. In short, certain character traits are central to creation care
A Lasting Legacy
Steven Bouma-Prediger teaches theology and ethics in the religion department at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and is a member of the Perspectives board of editors. He served as guest editor for this issue
The Environmental Theology of Aimee Semple McPherson (Chapter 4 of Blood Cries Out : Pentecostals, Ecology, and the Groans of Creation)
Excerpt: My initial investigation into Aimee Semple McPherson—founder of The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel—and ecology was bleak: every word search returned a spiritual metaphor. “Garbage” came back as “garbage can of Satan,” “pollution” came back as “pollution of the soul,” “plants” came back as “plants of faith,” and “dumping” came back as “dumping ground for gossip.” But eventually, persistence paid off.
Popular pastor and author Rick McKinley writes, “Margins are those clear spaces along the edge of a page that keep the words from spilling off. Every book has them. You might jot notes in the margins, but for the most part they go unnoticed. They don’t represent the book, and they don’t define its message. They’re simply there.”McKinley’s analogy describes McPherson’s engagement with nature. McPherson made comments, not commentaries, about nature. She had strong opinions—some radical by today’s standards—yet most remained underdeveloped. Moreover, her theology was largely anthropocentric. People, not the environment, occupied the center of her doctrine.While nature, theologically, occupied the margins for McPherson, politically, it took center stage, especially during her anti-war expositions. Thus, environmental concern ultimately found expression in her patriotism
Saving Creation: Nature and Faith in the Life of Holmes Rolston III
Preston engagingly tells the story of Rolston, from his childhood in the Shenandoah Mountains, to his long and distinguished career as a philosopher at Colorado State University. As the story of a human life, it is an interesting read, but along the way, Preston also adroitly interweaves the story of the rise and development of environmental ethics as an academic discipline. This is an impressive work overall. If you are interested in natural science and Christian theology, this is a book for you. If you are interested in environmental ethics, this is a book for you. Or, if you are just interested in a fascinating human story, well told, this is a book for you
Review of Healing the Earth: A Theocentric Perspective on Environmental Problems and Their Solutions, by Richard Young
Review of The Environment and the Christian: What Can We Learn from the New Testament?, edited by Cal DeWitt
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