Theology of Creation in a Cosmic and Evolutionary World (CT9020Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

“In view of the critical environmental problems confronting the modern world, reflection on the nature and meaning of the world and on humanity’s place in it becomes increasingly important. While Christian theology has done this for centuries, the present situation calls for a serious rethinking of many issues in the light of contemporary physics, biology and cultural history.” (Hayes, The Gift of Being, 2001). Developments in Science and Ecology challenge theology to reimagine who we are, who the Spirit of God is, who Christ is, where creation is going/moving. This unit will present a renewed Theology of Creation in the light of these challenges. In addition, this unit engages these challenges particularly in response to the developments in our expanded understanding of the world through science, especially cosmology and a significant response to the ecological crisis through an examination of the landmark encyclical, Laudato Si (2015).

Unit code: CT9020Y

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Examine the biblical material for a renewed theology of Creation.
2.

Identify and explain the significant insights from the ecological and cosmological understanding of our world (creation).
3.

Analyse the theological nature and place of the human person in relationship with creation.
4.

Critically evaluate the connection between solidarity with the poor and concern for the environment as presented in Laudato Si.
5.

Construct, together, the elements of a theology of creation relevant to the new challenges.
6.

Identify, analyse and critically evaluate theological responses to Laudato Si.
7.

Demonstrate the capacity to research a specific topic in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner.
.

Unit sequence

24 points in CT or equivalent

Pedagogy

Synchronous Lectures and Seminars.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Edwards, Denis. Deep Incarnation: God's Redemptive Suffering with Creatures. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2019.
  • Francis. Laudato Si: Encyclical Letter. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2015.
  • Haught, John. God After Einstein: What’s Really Going On in the Universe? New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2022.
  • Hayes, Zachary. The Gift of Being: A Theology of Creation. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2011.
  • Hibbs, Thomas. A Theology of Creation. Indiana: Notre Dame University Press, 2023.
  • Horan, Daniel. All God’s Creatures: A Theology of Creation. Lanham: Rowan and Littlefield/Fortress Academic, 2018.
  • Lane, Dermot. Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: The Wisdom of Laudato Si. Dublin: Messenger Publications, 2020.
  • Meconi, David Vincent, ed. On Earth As It Is in Heaven: Cultivating a Contemporary Theology of Creation. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Saint Paul Seminary Press, 2021.
  • O’Callaghan, Paul. God’s Gift to the Universe: An Introduction to Creation Theology. Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2022.
  • Peters, Ted. Cosmos As Creation: Theology and Science in Consonance. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay - Minor Paper 3000 40.0
Essay - Major Paper 5000 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Jun, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-06-27 15:18:20 +1000