The Salvation of the Earth from Anthropogenic Destruction: In Search of Appropriate Soteriological Concepts in an Age of Ecological Destruction

Author: Conradie, Ernst M.

Source: Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, Volume 14, Numbers 2-3, 2010 , pp. 111-140(30)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This article offers a conceptual map of soteriological discourse in the field of Christian ecotheology. On the basis of an adaptation of Gustaf Aulén's famous analysis in Christus Victor of three types of atonement, the following three soteriological models are identified and made relevant for Christian ecotheology: a) God's victory over the forces of evil, death and destruction; b) Reconciliation amidst alienation; and c) Moral influence in the form of environmental policy making. It is proposed that these may be related on the basis of discerning the present consequences of human sin in the many forms of evil, the deepest (past) roots of such evil in human sin and the need to limit the future consequences of evil.

Keywords: soteriology; Gustaf Aulén; victory over evil; alienation; moral influence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853510X507257

Affiliations: 1: Department of Religion and Theology, University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 South Africa, Email: econradie@uwc.ac.za

Publication date: 2010-08-01