A Political Theology of Nature

A Christian solution, both Trinitarian and political, to the present-day ecological crisis.

Peter Scott (Author)

9780521641654, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 March 2003

290 pages
23.6 x 15.7 x 2 cm, 0.503 kg

' … a valuable resource for those interested in engaging with current thinking in this are … its originality and power warrant careful and serious attention.' Crucible

This book argues that the modern separation of humanity from nature can be traced to the displacement of the triune God. Locating the source of our current ecological crisis in this separation, Peter Scott argues that it can only be healed within theology, through a revival of a Trinitarian doctrine of creation interacting with political philosophies of ecology. Drawing insights from deep ecology, ecofeminism, and social and socialist ecologies, Scott proposes a common realm of God, nature and humanity. Both Trinitarian and political, the theology of this common realm is worked out by reference to Christ and Spirit. Christ's resurrection is presented as the liberation and renewal of ecological relations in nature and society, the movement of the Holy Spirit is understood as the renewal of fellowship between humanity and nature through ecological democracy, and the Eucharist is proposed as the principal political resource Christianity offers for an ecological age.

Part I. God, Nature and Modernity: 1. Nature in Christian theology: politics, context and strategies
2. The common realm of God, nature and humanity
Part II. The Politics of Nature: 3. The return of nature: deep ecology
4. The re/production of nature: ecofeminism
5. The dialectical emergence of nature and society: social ecology
6. The production of nature: socialist ecology
Part III. The Triune God and Un/natural Humanity: 7. Common nature: the worldly Christ
8. Un/natural fellowship: life in the Spirit
9. God-body: Un/natural relations, un/natural community in Jesus Christ.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], Christianity [HRC], Philosophy [HP]