Bonhoeffer's Christocentric Theology and Fundamental Debates in Environmental Ethics

by Steven C Van Den Heuvel

Overview

There is widespread understanding of the close connection between religion and the ecological crisis, and that in order to amend this crisis, theological resources are needed. This monograph seeks to contribute to this endeavor by engaging the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His theology is particularly suitable in this context, due to its open-ended nature, and to the prophetic and radical nature of the questions he was prepared to ask—that is why there are many other attempts to contextualize Bonhoeffer's theology in areas that he himself has not directly written about. In this monograph, Steven van den Heuvel first of all addresses the question of how to translate Bonhoeffer's theology in a methodologically sound way. He settles on a modified form of the general method of correlation. Then, secondly, van den Heuvel sets out to describe five major concepts in Bonhoeffer's work, bringing these into critical interplay with discussions in environmental ethics and eco-theology. In making the correlations he thoroughly describes each concept, situating it in the historic and intellectual background of Bonhoeffer's time. He then transposes these concepts to contemporary environmental ethics, describing what contribution Bonhoeffer's theology can make.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498296199
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	05/04/2017
Series:	Princeton Theological Monograph , #217
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Steven C. van den Heuvel is Postdoctoral Researcher in Systematic Theology & Ethics at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven (Belgium), as well as Senior Researcher at the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Abbreviations ix

1 Introduction 1

2 Care for the Natural in Light of Christ-Reality 22

3 Nature in Relation to Christ 73

4 Human Beings as Distinctive Parts of Nature 118

5 Human Beings as Masters and Lovers of Nature 164

6 Bonhoeffer's Theology of Responsibility and the Social Dimension of Environmental Ethics 207

7 Conclusion 262

Bibliography 275

Index of Names 301

Index of Subjects 309

Index of Scripture 349

Index of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works 351

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Steven van de Heuvel does not make Dietrich Bonhoeffer into an 'ecotheologian avant la letter,' but he convincingly shows that in his earth-oriented theology, Bonhoeffer is a crucial conversation partner for twenty-first-century environmental ethics."
—Frits de Lange, Professor of Ethics, Extraordinary Professor, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; author of Loving Later Life: An Ethics of Aging

"In this splendid book, the author brings Bonhoeffer into a theologically well-informed and hermeneutically reflective conversation with environmental ethics. No other work has hitherto shown in such depth the importance of Bonhoeffer's Christology with its attendant key concepts of eschatology, Stellvertretung, responsible action, mandates, the natural, and theological anthropology for eco-theology. This is an important and much-needed contribution to Bonhoeffer studies and environmental ethics."
—Jens Zimmermann, Canada Research Professor for Intepretation, Religion, and Culture, Trinity Western University; Visiting Professor for Philosophy, Theology, and Literature, Regent College, Vancouver

"In this book, van den Heuvel not only shows a profound knowledge and thorough analysis of the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but also an admirable skill to apply the results of his research to the present discussion on environmental ethics. Undoubtedly a major achievement!"
—Gerard den Hertog, Theological University Apeldoorn (NL)

Editorial Reviews

"Steven van de Heuvel does not make Dietrich Bonhoeffer into an 'ecotheologian avant la letter,' but he convincingly shows that in his earth-oriented theology, Bonhoeffer is a crucial conversation partner for twenty-first-century environmental ethics."
—Frits de Lange, Professor of Ethics, Extraordinary Professor, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; author of Loving Later Life: An Ethics of Aging

"In this splendid book, the author brings Bonhoeffer into a theologically well-informed and hermeneutically reflective conversation with environmental ethics. No other work has hitherto shown in such depth the importance of Bonhoeffer's Christology with its attendant key concepts of eschatology, Stellvertretung, responsible action, mandates, the natural, and theological anthropology for eco-theology. This is an important and much-needed contribution to Bonhoeffer studies and environmental ethics."
—Jens Zimmermann, Canada Research Professor for Intepretation, Religion, and Culture, Trinity Western University; Visiting Professor for Philosophy, Theology, and Literature, Regent College, Vancouver

"In this book, van den Heuvel not only shows a profound knowledge and thorough analysis of the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but also an admirable skill to apply the results of his research to the present discussion on environmental ethics. Undoubtedly a major achievement!"
—Gerard den Hertog, Theological University Apeldoorn (NL)

From the Publisher