Loving Nature

by Nash, James A.

• ISBN13: 9780687228249
• ISBN10: 0687228247
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1991-11-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

The ecological crisis is a serious challenge to Christian theology and ethics because the crisis is rooted partly in flawed convictions about the rights and powers of humankind in relation to the rest of the natural world. James A. Nash argues that Christianity can draw on a rich theological and ethical tradition with which to confront this challenge.

Author Biography

James A. Nash is the Executive Director of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, Washington, D. C.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 11
Character of the Crisis	p. 17
Purposes and Progression	p. 19
Dimensions and Dilemmas of the Ecological Crisis: the Pollution Complex	p. 23
Pollution: Poisoning Our Neighbors	p. 24
Global Warming: Climate Change and Excessive Consumption	p. 32
Ozone Depletion: What Price Convenience and Luxury?	p. 37
Dimensions and Dilemmas of the Ecological Crisis: Exceeding the Limits	p. 40
Resource Exhaustion: Living Beyond Planetary Means	p. 40
Population Progress: Beyond Earth's Carrying Capacity	p. 44
Maldistribution: The Linkage Between Economic Injustice and Ecological Degradation	p. 50
Radical Reductions and Extinctions of Species: The Loss of Biodiversity	p. 54
Genetic Engineering: Restraining Human Powers	p. 59
The Ecological Virtues	p. 63
The Ecological Complaint Against Christianity	p. 68
A Confession of Sin	p. 72
No Single Cause	p. 74
Christ and Culture	p. 77
Ecological Sensitivity in Christian History	p. 79
Interreligious Miscomparisons	p. 88
Potential for Reformation	p. 91
Firm Foundations: Doctrines of Creation, Covenant, Divine Image, Incarnation, and Spiritual Presence	p. 93
Creation: God's Cosmic and Relational Values	p. 95
The Ecological Covenant of Relationality	p. 100
Divine Image and Dominion as Responsible Representation	p. 102
The Incarnation as Cosmic Representation	p. 108
Sacramental Presence of the Spirit	p. 111
Firm Foundations: Doctrines of Sin, Judgment, Redemption, and Church	p. 117
Sin as an Ecological Disorder	p. 117
Divine Judgments in Natural History	p. 121
Consummation as Cosmic Redemption	p. 124
The Church as Agent of Ecological Liberation and Reconciliation	p. 133
A Summation	p. 137
Loving Nature: Christian Love in an Ecological Context	p. 139
Love: The Ground of Christian Theology and Ethics	p. 140
Dilemmas of Definition	p. 143
Love and Predation	p. 146
Qualifications of Ecological Love	p. 148
Ecological Dimensions of Love	p. 151
Love as Ecological Justice: Rights and Responsibilities	p. 162
Biblical Bases for Justice	p. 163
Love and Justice	p. 166
Meaning of Justice	p. 167
Rights and Justice	p. 169
Human Environmental Rights	p. 171
Biotic Rights	p. 173
Boundaries of Biotic Rights	p. 176
Individuals and Collectives	p. 179
A Bill of Biotic Rights	p. 186
Prima Facie Biotic Rights	p. 189
Conclusion	p. 191
Political Directions for Ecological Integrity	p. 192
Politics in Ethical Perspective	p. 192
Resolving the Economics-Ecology Dilemma	p. 197
Regulatory Sufficiency	p. 203
Responsibilities to Future Generations	p. 206
The Guardianship of Biodiversity	p. 210
International Cooperation for Ecological Security	p. 215
Linking Justice, Peace, and Ecology	p. 217
Finally	p. 221
Notes	p. 223
Selected Bibliography	p. 245
Index	p. 253
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