Theological Anthropology in the Anthropocene Reconsidering Human Agency and its Limits

The Anthropocene presents theology, and especially theological anthropology, with unprecedented challenges. There are no immediately available resources in the theological tradition that reflect directly on such experiences. Accordingly, the situation calls for contextually based theological reflection of what it means to be human under such circumstances.

This book discusses the main elements in theological anthropology in light of the fundamental points: a) that theological anthropology needs to be articulated with reference to, and informed by, the concrete historical circumstances in which humanity presently finds itself, and b) that the notion of the Anthropocene can be used as a heuristic tool to describe important traits and conditions that call for a response by humanity, and which entail the need for a renewal of what a Christian self-understanding means. Jan-Olav Henriksen explores what such a response entails from the point of view of contemporary theological anthropology and discusses selected topics that can contribute to a contextually based position. 

Introduction: The Context and the task

                Prolegomena: Before anthropology. There is a given – not a gift – but something to which we relate and from which we come

                The Anthropocene as a heuristic concept: the role of experience in theological work

                Nature in focus? Bruno Latour and Adorno / Horkheimer

                We are in the midst of things and search for understanding

                Myths and stories give us understanding – The Ricoeurian perspective of returning to the symbol

                Religions about origin and aim – orientation and transformation

                We have painted ourselves into a corner: The rapid destruction in theological perspective

                What we need to do: on present and future transformations:  A perspective informed by Hegel

 

Chapter 1: The image of God

                Emergent from nature: Can the past inform us about the future? On the origin of religion in human evolution.

                Distinct, unique, separate, or what?        

The relevance of myth:  The symbolic species

                Imago dei: Vulnerable, dependent, relational

                Freedom and responsibility

                We are not in control: The discussion on “stewardship” 

                Related to the good:  The ambiguities of desire

                Diversity, enjoyment, sexuality

                The arch: the spiritual-embodied dimension of human life as created in the image of God

 

Chapter 2: A self-centered species

                Anthropocentrism

                Sin’s experiential dimension: Narcissism as a heuristic tool

                Sin is lack of trust – a contextual interpretation

                Sin as estrangement – with particular reference to nature

                Desire and a culture of consumption

                Injustice, polarization, and exploitation: Destructive practices

                The obsession with death in Western culture

                When nature suffers, humans suffer, too

 

Chapter 3: Human agency and Christian faith

                What is human agency? Contemporary discourses and voices

                Conditions for agency: Fundamental theology. Faith and agency

                Agency options are unequally distributed             

Agency and practices. Structures and institutions

                Agency and passivity: the problem of agency in a theological context – which presupposes God’s giving and God’s work in creation and redemption

                Activity and passivity

                When agency becomes everything: the threat of self-obsession

                Between past and future: creation and eschatology.

                Resurrection: The priority of a future not determined entirely by the past.

                Conclusion: God at work in human life

 

 

Chapter 4: The spiritual-material life as embodied caring for all of creation

                Accepting dependence

                Accepting finitude – practicing frugality

                Living in faith – transforming society

                Practicing love for all creatures – overcoming anthropocentrism

                A global, inclusive community of love and care: Church.

Jan-Olav Henriksen is Professor of systematic theology and philosophy of religion at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society in Oslo, Norway. He is also a Senior Research Scholar at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ.