Theological Anthropology in the Anthropocene : Reconsidering Human Agency and Its Limits

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. Acknowledgments Contents Chapter 1: The Task Part I: Preliminaries Chapter 2: The “Before” in Theological Anthropology It Does Not Start with Us: And Why We Forget It What Comes First? On Realms of Experience Prior to Agency Is Creation a Gift? Or a Given? Or Both? Chapter 3: The Anthropocene as a Heuristic Concept and the Role of Experience in Theological Work The Anthropocene’s Perfect Storm The Spiritual Awareness of the Anthropocene Chapter 4: Nature in Focus For Various Purposes—Why a Notion of Creation Is Needed for Theological Anthropology Nature: Contextualized and Historicized More Than Human Agency: Latour Creation Instead of Nature? The Gains from a Theological Concept Chapter 5: On Producing Theological Anthropology in the Anthropocene A Pragmatist View The Symbols and Metaphors of Tradition: And Their Present Use Religion: Practices of Orientation, Transformation, and Normative Reflection The Theological Vision and the Present Predicament Part II: Theological Anthropology in the Anthropocene Chapter 6: The Conditions for the Symbol Image of God Belief as the Result of Evolutionary Processes To Make the World a Home: Niche Construction The Theology of Niche Construction Agency as Constitutive for Stewardship? Chapter 7: The Symbol Imago Dei Reconsidered Basic Traits in the Human Capacity for Using Symbols Image of God—An Alternative Interpretation God as Represented The Desiring and Vulnerable Imago Dei On Vulnerability Desire—Basic Features To Live Lovingly as Imago Dei Conclusion: Love as the Fulfillment of Desire and Vulnerability Chapter 8: We Are Not in Control. The Limits of Stewardship “Stewardship” and Its Problems Concluding Remarks on Stewardship Excursus: The Limitations of Kantian Ethics in Light of the Anthropocene Chapter 9: Erotic Attention to the Whole: The Spirituality of the Imago Dei Chapter 10: Relation and Separation: Gendered Diversity and Patriarchy in the Anthropocene On the Need for Recognition of Diversity The Separative Self and Nature: Elements from Catherine Keller Chapter 11: A Self-Centered Species Anthropocentrism’s Natural Origin Narcissism: A Gateway for Understanding the Sinful Relationship Between Humans and Nature Displacement of Trust: A Contextual Interpretation of Løgstrup Chapter 12: Sin as Estrangement or Alienation? Alienation and the Human-Nature Relationship From Alienation to Sin: Tillich Chapter 13: The Consumer Society and Sin Consumer Culture as a Pervasive Influence on Civilization Consumer Culture: The Moral and Spiritual Dimensions Chapter 14: The Destruction of Authentic Agency: The Contemporary Relevance of Romans 7 Causes Behind Denial: Norgaard’s Analysis Subjectivity as Bound to Sin: The Consequences of Idolatry Chapter 15: Sin, Violence, and Death—And Alternatives Chapter 16: From Sin to Sins and Back Part III: Human Agency Revisited and Suggestions for a Faithful Response Chapter 17: Basic Elements to Consider About Agency and Its Limits On the Personal Agent: Ricœur’s Contribution Agency and Self-understanding: Charles Taylor Agency, Structures, and Practices Chapter 18: Christian Practices Guided by Faith, Hope, and Love On Christian Practices Revealed Conditions for Agency and Its Relevance for the Anthropocene Divine Agency as Human Practice: Relation, Passivity, and Participation References Index