Does nature need to be redeemed?
Date
1994
Authors
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
Joint Publication Board of Zygon, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
In the light of evolutionary biology, the biblical idea that nature fell with the coming of human sin is incredible. Biblical writers, classical theologians, and contemporary biologists are ambivalent about nature, finding in natural history both a remarkable genesis of life and also much travail and suffering. Earth is a land of promise, and there is the conservation, or redemption, of life in the midst of its perpetual perishing. Life is perennially a struggling through to something higher. In that sense even natural history is cruciform, though human sinfulness introduces novel tragedy. Humans now threaten creation; nature is at more peril than ever before.
Description
This is an electronic version of an article published in Zygon®: Journal of Religion and Science.
Includes bibliographical references (page 229).
Includes bibliographical references (page 229).
Rights Access
Subject
redemption
sin
suffering
wildness
conservation of nature
creation
ecological crisis
evolution
natural evils
nature