The Value and Implications of the Incarnation on the Theology of Creation: A Study of Denis Edwards' Eco-Theology

Date of Award

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts major in Theological Studies

First Advisor

Fr. Manuel Francisco, SJ, STD

Abstract

Our Christian faith professes that the entire creation is indwelt by God. Dei Verbum no. 2 further conveys that God’s indwelling in creation reaches its ultimate expression in the Incarnation from which creation owes its being sharer in the life of the Trinity. This gracious self-bestowal of God in the person of Jesus Christ marks the deep unchanging truth lying beneath the whole creation: the love of God grounds and sustains all that exists. The Incarnation and creation, in this regard, have thus an intimate relationship. In this relationship, the Incarnation plays an indispensable value towards the understanding of God’s creation.

This thesis explores Denis Edwards’ Christocentric Eco-theology concerning the value and implications of Jesus’ incarnation to the understanding of creation. It highlights the Incarnation and its relationship to God’s creation as it offers a biocentric and Christocentric view vis-à-vis the natural world. It further seeks to understand the meaning and place of Jesus Christ in God’s evolving cosmos. Concomitant to this is the attempt to gain some insights about God’s nature and actions in creation in the light of Christ. The thesis is likewise a response to Pope Francis’ call for the care of the earth by underlining the Eco-theology of Denis Edwards as it wishes to contribute in furthering the Church’s call to care for God’s creation spearheaded by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’.

Finally, the paper hopes to persuade Christians and people of goodwill to care for God’s creation. It equally hopes that our care of creation may serve as a place of encountering Christ, from whom and to whom all things were made (Col 1:16) and the ever-gracious God who gave Godself selflessly to the world out of love. Moreover, the paper invites all towards the proper reverence of the cosmos and towards cooperating with God in bringing forth God’s reign on the earth that is in agony and need of environmental redemption and protection.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS