Ecological Hermeneutics: Biblical, Historical and Theological Perspectives

by David G. Horrell (Editor), Cherryl Hunt (Editor), Christopher Southgate (Editor), Francesca Stavrakopoulou (Editor)

Overview

Leading scholars reflect critically on the kinds of appeal to the Bible that have been made in environmental ethics and ecotheoloogy and engage with biblical texts with a view towards exploring their contribution to an ecological ethics. The essays explore the kind of hermeneutic necessary for such engagement to be fruitful for contemporary theology and ethics. Crucial to such broad reflection is the bringing together of a range of perspectives: biblical studies, historical theology, hermeneutics, and theological ethics.

The thematic coherence of the book is provided by the running focus on the ways in which biblical texts have been, or might be, read. This volume is not about ecotheology, but is instead about ecological hermeneutics. Indeed, some essays show where biblical texts, or particular approaches in the history of interpretation, represent anthropocentric or even anti-ecological moves. One of the overall aims of the book is to suggest how, and why, an ecological hermeneutic might be developed, and the kinds of intepretive choices that are required in such a development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567033048
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/01/2010
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David G. Horrell is Professor of New Testament Studiesat the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of several books, including"An Introduction to the Study of Paul" (T&T Clark, Second Edition 2006) and Solidarity and Difference (T&T Clark, 2005). He was the editor of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament from 2002-2007. He is an active member of the British New Testament Society, having chaired the Social World of the New Testament Seminar from 2001-2006, andis also a member of the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) and Society for New Testament Studies (SNTS). He completed his PhD at Cambridgeon Paul's Corinthian letters and the letter known as 1 Clement. Dr. Cherryl Hunt is a post-doctoral researcher in Theology at the University of Exeter Dr. Christopher Southgate is Lecturer and Director of Modular Studies at the University of Exeter in England.

Francesca Stavrakopoulou is Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible at the University of Exeter, UK. Her research focuses on ancient Israelite religion, Judahite kingship, and history and ideology in the Hebrew Bible. She is the author of King Manasseh and Child Sacrifice: Biblical Distortions of Historical Realities" (De Gruyter, 2004).

Table of Contents

Introduction (The Editors)

Section 1: Biblical perspectives

Section Introduction (The Editors)
1. The Creation Stories: their Ecological Potential (and Problems) (John Rogerson)

2. Land, Sin, Sacrifice: The ecological ethics of Leviticus (Jonathan Morgan)

3. Reading the Prophets from an Environmental Perspective (John Barton)
4. The Significance of the Wisdom Tradition in the Ecological Debate (Katharine Dell)

5. Jesus and the Gospels in Ecotheological Perspective (Richard Bauckham)
6. An Ecological Reading of Rom 8.19-22: Possibilities and Hesitations (Brendan Byrne)
7. Hellenistic Cosmology and the Letter to the Colossians: Towards an Ecological Hermeneutic (Vicky Balabanski)
8. Cosmic Catastrophe Imagery in the New Testament (Edward Adams)

Section 2: Insights from the history of interpretation

Section Introduction (The Editors)
9. In the Beginning: Irenaeus, Creation, and the Environment (Francis Watson)
10. The Fathers' Readings of Genesis 1 (Morwenna Ludlow)
11. Thomas Aquinas: Reading the Idea of Dominion in the Light of the Doctrine of Creation (Mark Wynn)
12. Reformation readings of the Creation stories (H. Paul Santmire)

13. Between Creation and Transfiguration: the environment in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition (Andrew Louth)

14. Karl Barth's Approach to Scripture and its Ecological Potential (Geoff Thompson)

15. Hans Urs von Balthasar and a Creation-centred Hermeneutic (David Moss)

16. Jürgen Moltmann on God and Creation (Jeremy Law)


Section 3: Contemporary hermeneutical possibilities

Section Introduction (The Editors)
17. The Greening of American Fundamentalism and Its Detractors (Harry Maier)

18. New Testament Eschatology and the Ecological Crisis in Theological and Ecclesial Perspective (Stephen Barton)
19. Sustainable Countryside (Tim Gorringe)

20. Towards a Theological Ecological Hermeneutic (Ernst Conradie)

Epilogue (The Editors)



Indexes

Index of Biblical Texts

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Subjects

Editorial Reviews

'At present, issues in ecological ethics confront us urgently at both global and personal levels. Over recent decades they have raised myriads of questions for theology and more recently for biblical interpretation. Ecological Hermeneutics", a collection of essays emerging from an AHRC funded project at the University of Exeter, makes an important new contribution to the search for adequate ways to interpret biblical texts and theological traditions ecologically. The volume is framed by the essays of Horrell and Conradie each of whom engage very explicitly the search for a viable ecological hermeneutic and both indicating a preference for a doctrinally-based perspective. The essays within that frame demonstrate the rich variety of approaches and engagement with text and tradition that constitute emerging ecological hermeneutics. For those coming new to this area of scholarship, the collection of essays will provide a challenging introduction and for those who are more deeply engaged with the topic, it will broaden their participation in this important field of inquiry.' - Elaine Wainwright, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.--Sanford Lakoff

'Ecological Hermeneutics is a well crafted set of essays that derive from a three year project at the University of Exeter... The editorial quality is high, and the four editors have clearly worked well as a team. The volume displays an evenness in style across the 20 contributions that clearly didn't happen by accident.'--Sanford Lakoff

'This is an excellent book and one that is much needed. There is no issue more urgent for contemporary theology, as it comes to terms with the demands of the ecological crisis, than carefully thinking through its approach to the interpretation of biblical texts. /Ecological Hermeneutics/ makes an indispensable contribution. The contributors bring a great deal of learning and some wonderful insights from their specialist disciplines, and communicate a strong sense of commitment to both the good of the Earth community and the integrity of biblical faith.' - Denis Edwards, Catholic Theological College, Australia--Sanford Lakoff

'This wonderful volume demonstrates the rich exegesis of Scripture and the Christian theological tradition, drawing upon a wide range of texts from varied yet complementary angles. Further, it offers perhaps the best small collection of resources I know for reworking and developing a Christian theology of the created order for our own critical time. This book of intelligent and highly engaging essays should be widely known and used in multiple teaching settings within the academy and the church.' - Ellen F. Davis, A. R. Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC, USA.--Sanford Lakoff

Ecological Hermeneutics is an important book on an important subject... a unique and useful contribution to the growing literature on ecology and the Bible... By bringing together highly competent essays in the fields of biblical exegesis, the history of interpretation, and theology, the editors offer us an invaluable set of resources for the ongoing task of reshaping Christian thought in light of the environmental crisis.--Sanford Lakoff

From the Publisher