Theology of Creation and the Socio-Ecological Crisis. 

Research Question: 

The socio-ecological crisis reveals the disrupted relation between more-than-human nature and human society. Ecological crises are closely intertwined with social crises and injustices. What might a Christian theology of creation look like that responds to the socio-ecological crisis as a sign of the times? This research project approaches this theological challenge in an interdisciplinary and exploratory manner, asking: Which conceptual insights from philosophy of science, eco-philosophy, and feminist theology can contribute to the socio-ecological development of creation theology, and what consequences does this have for theology in general? 

Research:

The socio-ecological crisis as a global challenge in the Anthropocene does not only reveal a deficit in practical action, but also points to a deeper relational problem between human and more-than-human nature. Our relationship with the more-than-human world has become alienated, instrumentalized, and shaped by utilitarian interests. The research project therefore takes up the twofold task of ecotheology: 1st to examine its own traditions self-critically and ask to what extent they have religiously legitimized destructive and alienating attitudes; and 2nd to draw on its own theological resources creatively in order to acknowledge interconnectedness and mutual responsibility within the community of creatures.

The approach is interdisciplinary and exploratory. It aims for a dialogue between theological and wordly presuppositions. I have chosen three dialogue partners from philosophy of science, eco-philosophy, and feminist theology: Donna Haraway, David Abram, and Sallie McFague, respectively. They share an approach that connects ontological, epistemological, and ethical questions, remains open to transcendence, and seeks to overcome the dualisms embedded in western thought through holistic perspectives. Key concepts include relationality, embodiment, interspecies perception and situatedness. This interdisciplinary grounding is constitutive of a social-ecological theology of creation and expands its horizons. It enables a socio-ecologically informed re-evaluation of central theological concepts, including the God-world-relationship, incarnation, revelation and salvation.

Supervisors

• Prof. Dr. Julia Enxing and Prof. Dr. Dr. Bernhard Nitsche