Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics : Reconstructing Patristic and Medieval Concepts

by Schaefer, Jame

• ISBN13: 9781589012684
• ISBN10: 1589012682
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781589016118
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-05-15
• Publisher: Georgetown Univ Pr
• More Book Details

Summary

Earth is imperiled. Human activities are adversely affecting the land, water, air, and myriad forms of biological life that comprise the ecosystems of our planet. Indicators of global warming and holes in the ozone layer inhibit functions vital to the biosphere. Environmental damage to the planet becomes damaging to human health and well-being now and into the future¿and too often that damage affects those who are least able to protect themselves. Can religion make a positive contribution to preventing further destruction of biological diversity and ecosystems and threats to our earth? Jame Schaefer thinks that it can, and she examines the thought of Christian Church fathers and medieval theologians to reveal and retrieve insights that may speak to our current plight. By reconstructing the teachings of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and other classic thinkers to reflect our current scientific understanding of the world, Schaefer shows how to "green" the Catholic faith: to value the goodness of creation, to appreciate the beauty of creation, to respect creation's praise for God, to acknowledge the kinship of all creatures, to use creation with gratitude and restraint, and to live virtuously within the earth community.

Author Biography

Jame Schaefer is associate professor of systematic theology at Marquette University, where she directs the interdisciplinary minor in environmental ethics. Prior to her career in academia, Schaefer served in environmental advocacy groups, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and government on local, state, and national levels.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Reading the Catholic Theological Tradition through an Ecological Lens	p. 1
Valuing the Goodness of Creation	p. 17
Appreciating the Beauty of Creation	p. 43
Reverencing the Sacramental Universe	p. 65
Respecting Creation's Praise for God	p. 103
Cooperating within the Integrity of Creation	p. 121
Acknowledging Kinship and Practicing Companionship	p. 149
Using Creation with Gratitude and Restraint	p. 193
Living Virtuously within the Earth Community	p. 231
Loving Earth	p. 255
Modeling the Human in an Age of Ecological Degradation	p. 267
Bibliography	p. 287
Index	p. 313
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