Overview

The Anthropocene presents theology, and especially theological anthropology, with unprecedented challenges. There are no immediately available resources in the theological tradition that reflect directly on such experiences. Accordingly, the situation calls for contextually based theological reflection of what it means to be human under such circumstances. This book discusses the main elements in theological anthropology in light of the fundamental points: a) that theological anthropology needs to be articulated with reference to, and informed by, the concrete historical circumstances in which humanity presently finds itself, and b) that the notion of the Anthropocene can be used as a heuristic tool to describe important traits and conditions that call for a response by humanity, and which entail the need for a renewal of what a Christian self-understanding means. Jan-Olav Henriksen explores what such a response entails from the point of view of contemporary theological anthropology and discusses selected topics that can contribute to a contextually based position. 

Full Product Details

Author:   Jan-Olav Henriksen
Publisher:   Springer International Publishing AG
Imprint:   Palgrave Macmillan
Edition:   1st ed. 2023
Weight:   0.534kg
ISBN:  

9783031210570

ISBN 10:   3031210573
Pages:   299
Publication Date:   15 December 2022
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Context and the task                 Prolegomena: Before anthropology. There is a given – not a gift – but something to which we relate and from which we come                 The Anthropocene as a heuristic concept: the role of experience in theological work                 Nature in focus? Bruno Latour and Adorno / Horkheimer                 We are in the midst of things and search for understanding                 Myths and stories give us understanding – The Ricoeurian perspective of returning to the symbol                 Religions about origin and aim – orientation and transformation                 We have painted ourselves into a corner: The rapid destruction in theological perspective                 What we need to do: on present and future transformations:  A perspective informed by Hegel   Chapter 1: The image of God                 Emergent from nature: Can the past inform us about the future? On the origin of religion in human evolution.                 Distinct, unique, separate, or what?         The relevance of myth:  The symbolic species                 Imago dei: Vulnerable, dependent, relational                 Freedom and responsibility                 We are not in control: The discussion on “stewardship”                  Related to the good:  The ambiguities of desire                 Diversity, enjoyment, sexuality                 The arch: the spiritual-embodied dimension of human life as created in the image of God   Chapter 2: A self-centered species                 Anthropocentrism                 Sin’s experiential dimension: Narcissism as a heuristic tool                 Sin is lack of trust – a contextual interpretation                 Sin as estrangement – with particular reference to nature                 Desire and a culture of consumption                 Injustice, polarization, and exploitation: Destructive practices                 The obsession with death in Western culture                 When nature suffers, humans suffer, too   Chapter 3: Human agency and Christian faith                 What is human agency? Contemporary discourses and voices                 Conditions for agency: Fundamental theology. Faith and agency                 Agency options are unequally distributed              Agency and practices. Structures and institutions                 Agency and passivity: the problem of agency in a theological context – which presupposes God’s giving and God’s work in creation and redemption                 Activity and passivity                 When agency becomes everything: the threat of self-obsession                 Between past and future: creation and eschatology.                 Resurrection: The priority of a future not determined entirely by the past.                 Conclusion: God at work in human life     Chapter 4: The spiritual-material life as embodied caring for all of creation                 Accepting dependence                 Accepting finitude – practicing frugality                 Living in faith – transforming society                 Practicing love for all creatures – overcoming anthropocentrism                 A global, inclusive community of love and care: Church.

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Author Information

Jan-Olav Henriksen is Professor of systematic theology and philosophy of religion at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society in Oslo, Norway. He is also a Senior Research Scholar at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ. 

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