Gaia and Climate Change

A Theology of Gift Events

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology
Cover of the book Gaia and Climate Change by Anne Primavesi, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Anne Primavesi ISBN: 9781134029570
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 18, 2008
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Anne Primavesi
ISBN: 9781134029570
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 18, 2008
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

James Lovelock’s Gaia theory revolutionized the understanding of our place and role in the global environment. It is now accepted that our activities over the past two hundred years have contributed to and accelerated the extreme weather events associated with climate change. The fact that those activities materialized, for the most part, from within Western Christian communities makes it imperative to assess and to change their theological climate: one characterized by routine use of violent, imperialist images of God.

The basis for change explored here is that of gift events, particularly as evidenced in Jesus’s life and sayings. Its legacy of love of enemies and forgiveness offers a basis for nonviolent theological and practical approaches to our situatedness within the community of life. These are also Gaian responses, as they include foregoing a perception of ourselves as belonging to an elect group given power by God over earth’s life-support systems and over all those dependent on them, whether human or more-than-human. The degree to which we change this self-perception will determine how we affect, for good or ill, not only the givenness of the climate in future but the givenness of all future life on earth.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

James Lovelock’s Gaia theory revolutionized the understanding of our place and role in the global environment. It is now accepted that our activities over the past two hundred years have contributed to and accelerated the extreme weather events associated with climate change. The fact that those activities materialized, for the most part, from within Western Christian communities makes it imperative to assess and to change their theological climate: one characterized by routine use of violent, imperialist images of God.

The basis for change explored here is that of gift events, particularly as evidenced in Jesus’s life and sayings. Its legacy of love of enemies and forgiveness offers a basis for nonviolent theological and practical approaches to our situatedness within the community of life. These are also Gaian responses, as they include foregoing a perception of ourselves as belonging to an elect group given power by God over earth’s life-support systems and over all those dependent on them, whether human or more-than-human. The degree to which we change this self-perception will determine how we affect, for good or ill, not only the givenness of the climate in future but the givenness of all future life on earth.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Microphone Fiends by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Insiders and Outsiders in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Princesses, Dragons and Helicopter Stories by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Parent-Child Interaction and Parent-Child Relations by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Translation, Poetics, and the Stage by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book The World of Words by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book The Journey from Music Student to Teacher by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Different Crimes, Different Criminals by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Health and Safety at Work: Key Terms by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Engagement and Disengagement by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Climate Change and Small Island States by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book War and Peace in Qajar Persia by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Visions of Venice in Shakespeare by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Learning Intervention by Anne Primavesi
Cover of the book Queer Theory and Communication by Anne Primavesi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy