ECOLOGY AND RELIGION

Toward a New Christian Theology of Nature

Ecology and Religion deals with the current debate provoked by the ecological crisis. This debate reveals the need for a new Christian theology of nature.

The author presents all the salient features of the present reas-sessment of our assumptions about nature, and outlines a new Christian theology of nature that responds to our contemporary needs. In the process, Dr. Carmody presents one of the first adap-tations of Bernard Lonergan's scheme for the collaboration of the-ology's various functional specializations. He gives us a treatment of the new foundations and describes the horizon it demands. He indicates the biblical and historical precedents, and sketches a systematic theology of nature stimulated by the ecological crisis. Finally he suggests the ethical and spiritual implications that this theology would entail. The result is a comprehensive beginning of the theology of nature that Christians will need for the twenty-first century.

Ecology and Religion is written concretely in a step-by-step manner for use by college students and lay study groups. The author gives the scientific data, the philosophical issues, the history and practical examples to lead the beginner toward a holistic view of the entire problem. The result is a clear and positive vision of God's creation with many pointed suggestions for how we might find our way back to ecological sanity and prosperity.