Preview

Gunton Doctrine Of Creation Case Study

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1318 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Gunton Doctrine Of Creation Case Study
DOCTRINE OF CREATION AND ECOLOGICAL PRAXIS IN THE THEOLOGY OF COLIN GUNTON
2.1 Introduction
In the previous chapter we saw that the doctrine of creation and human responsibility for the environment are two categories that must go hand-in-hand. This chapter seeks to expound Gunton's doctrine of creation and its implications for human responsibility towards the environment. In relation to that, this chapter first explains Gunton as an evangelical theologian, his departure from the traditional classical theism, leading to his theological framework, and then, on Gunton’s particular doctrine of creation which is based on a purposive Trinitarian ontology. Finally, the ethical implications of this theological position, especially for ecological praxis,
…show more content…
He therefore use scripture as a source of theology. He attempts to reclaim the scriptural portrayal of God, the Trinitarian God. Gunton has a healthy respect for the Church. Church and the teaching of Christian tradition are another important sources for Gunton, in constructing his theology. He studies and analyses the theologies of church fathers like Augustine, Irenaeus, the Cappadocian fathers, and examines them to understand how the present Church comes to be where it is and construes his theology. Although Gunton is against what modern reasoning does to theology, he is not against reason and the use of the mind in theology. Therefore, in his theology, there is a place for reason to develop theology, but for Gunton, a true understanding of God will only happen through a mind that connects with Jesus Christ. It can, therefore, be concluded that Colin Gunton is an evangelical theologian. His theological enterprise is based on a gospel-centred understanding of the Trinitarian God’s active relation to temporal creation. As an evangelical theologian, his concern is for the understanding of God as a Triune creator and the way God relates with the world and the ethical …show more content…
For him, it is the Trinitarian theology which attempts to identify God who relates and involves with his creation in the way he does, so that humans are enabled to see God's nature as much as he reveals. In his Trinitarian theology, Gunton is consistent in his concern over ontology, in particular, the true divine personhood in relation, and the divine action, and how the doctrine of God relates to creation and human responsibility to creation. However, Gunton's theological system holds Trinitarian theology, Christology, Pneumatology together with open transcendental system. The rest of this section is related to the exploration of this

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    This method is appropriate for the essay because it provides insight on the different possibilities that will occur as the result of one action. Suzuki uses cause and effect to propose the events that had taken place in the past as a result of our dependence on nature: “When plants and animals were plentiful, we flourished. When famine and drought struck, our numbers fell accordingly” (128). This cause and effect evidently displays the relationship between nature and society. When we place value in nature, we thrive; if we damage nature and ultimately destroy it, we doom ourselves as well. The connection between the two reinforces Suzuki’s arguments about preserving nature, and this begins with “teach[ing] children to love and respect other life forms”…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In his critique, “The Trouble with Wilderness or Getting Back to the Wrong Nature,” William Cronon argues against the romantic conceptualization of nature that a great portion of the environmentalist movement has embraced. Subsequently, Cronon revokes the Romantic and even quasi-religious notion that wilderness spaces are separate from those inhabited by man. He argues that by eliminating the divide in perception between the human constructs of the natural world and the civilized world, man will be encouraged to take more responsibility for his actions that negatively impact the environment. In prefacing his conclusion, he writes, “Home, after all, is the place where finally we make our living. It is the place for which we take responsibility,…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    prevalent in environmentalism. Crichton also mentions Eden as the idea of a paradise and innocence.…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    In L. Russ Bush’s Christian apologetic work, The Advancement: Keeping the Faith in an Evolutionary Age, he details the development and apparent fallacy associated with the modern naturalist worldview. Bush, a professor at Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary, focuses on the idea of inevitable progression within the modern worldview and provides an overview of this view’s promulgation within epistemology. Bush asserts Christians are no longer socially the majority in their beliefs regarding a world created by God and thus the civil authorities are no longer there to protect their beliefs, as in centuries past. Therefore, it is critical to have a Christian response to modern naturalism. Bush approaches this evolutionary worldview from a philosophical perspective and not as a scientist. The goal of his thesis is not to convince the reader of the scientific merits of Christianity, but to expose the erroneous beliefs found in the modern naturalistic worldview when compared to Christianity.…

    • 1385 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Baxter’s second premise is that present controversy over environment and pollution rests on the idea of a morally correct state of nature (383).…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Duty and responsibility to the living and non living aspects of Earth seems reasonably obvious to the common person. Humanity has been gifted with awe-inspiring and picturesque scenery and worthy resources that have allowed us to evolve past the belittled ape or animal. Yet, even through our actions in past and present, humanity has shown an aptitude for non-committal towards their obligation to the very thing that provides them with life. The over-industrialised world, monopolistic commercialism and disreputable capitalism have led to the metaphorical hell on earth represented in Scott’s panorama of…

    • 1203 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Within the Christian worldview, there are essential elements that are reflected upon the Christian faith. The Christian worldview put ultimate value and worth on God, as He is the creator of all things. With that, the Christian worldview puts anything before God (DiVincenzo, 2015)). The followers of God were supposed to live their lives according to wisdom under God’s kingly reign (DiVincenzo, 2015). The Christian worldview does come from faith and belief, and there is a requirement of a clear understanding of Christianity (Harvey, 2008). This paper will describe the essentials of the Christian worldview, and how God’s image is highly influenced of the Christian faith.…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the essay “Green Guilt” by Stephen Asma, the writer claims that environmentalism has become a substitute for religion. This claim holds a strong argument when paired with the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary definition of the word religion which states that religion is “a pursuit or interest to which someone awards extreme importance.” With this definition of religion a strong argument could be made that anything we hold important can be our religion. However, a strong argument could also be made that our society and culture has not changed to make environmentalism similar to a religion, but to make religion similar to environmentalism. It is not a far cry to say that religion is not what it once was. Our society has changed and…

    • 177 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    THEO 201 Final Essay

    • 801 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A foundational belief for all Christians is how we serve a God that loves His children unconditionally and has been approachable and involved in our lives and His creation. Throughout this essay I will approach the theology of creation, explain how God is actively involved throughout it all, and how His doctrine will impact whatever career path I chose to follow after college.…

    • 801 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Toulmin Model

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages

    This paper presents a Toulmin model argument for the care and usage of the Earth and its natural resources as dictated by God in the Holy Bible (NIV). The Old Testament provides many guidelines for man to live fruitfully on Earth. Because it was made by God and given to us, we must follow the guidelines that he has set forth in the care and preservation of our planet.…

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Over the years, the planet’s luscious greenery, vast bodies of ocean, and clear blue skies have declined at a steady rate with the overtake of industrial buildings and pollution from technology . For the explorers and hard-core transcendentalists who devote themselves to living on the healthy and undeveloped parts of the world, nature and “the life and simple beauty of it is too good to pass up.” (McCandless 12/7/16) If technological advancements continue to occupy most of Earth, this appreciative view of the planet will no longer be attractive to those whose lives depend and thrive upon its bare soil. To some Transcendentalist preachers, like Henry David Thoreau, nature is also perceived as “daily to be shown matter to come in contact with,” giving people a chance to ask “Who are we?…

    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    I will then move onto discuss various theologians that oppose the ontological argument and critique their responses. The aim of the essay if to show the strength of the argument and to expose some key weaknesses with its criticisms. Hopefully the essay will be convincing enough for the reader to not accept the words from Scott Aikin that the ontological argument is merely “the litmus test for intellectual seriousness”.…

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Ends of Beginnings

    • 1629 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Distinguish between the historical aspect of salvation (salvation accomplished) and the applied aspect of salvation (salvation applied).…

    • 1629 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As global warming intensifies, glaciers melt and forests reduced,more and more people begin to be concerned about environment problem. Environment is the fundamental of our existence,so we need protect environment. Paul H. Rubin in his article “Environmentalism as religion” says “But there is another sense in which environmentalism is becoming more and more like a religion: It provides its adherents with an identity”(399). He thinks environmentalism like a religion, and environmentalism and religion have many same characteristic. I agree Rubin’s opinion. Like religion, environmentalism has difference tribe, environmentalist like a missionary, environmentalism and religion both have food taboos and they also both no logical bases.…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    IV. Lewis expounds on the Christian dogma and answers some of man’s questions about God. (47-59)…

    • 930 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays