Habilitation

Creation-Christology and Environmental Ethics in New Testament Epistolary Literature

(Uppsala Conference Presentation Handout)

Central Thesis

Biblical environmental ethics is grounded in Creation-Christology (Schöpfungschristologie) found within the cosmological dimensions of New Testament epistolary literature. This approach challenges traditional creation theology's reliance on Old Testament texts by demonstrating how kenosis and the Body of Christ metaphor establish an ethics of solidarity with creation.

Key Arguments

1. Cosmotheological Foundation

-              Romans 8:19-30: Creation's "eager longing" (ἀποκαραδοκία) connects cosmic and anthropological dimensions

-              Philippians 2:9-11 

-              & 1 Corinthians 15: Christological universalization beyond Israel-nations distinction

Paul's creative adaptation of Adam typology for universal application.

2. Deutero-Pauline Development

Colossians 1:15-20: Cosmic Christ as creation principle and reconciler

Ephesians 1:10: Anakephalaiosis - "unite all things in him"

Hellenistic-Jewish synthesis in cosmological Christology

Church as embodiment of cosmic transformation

3. Incarnational Ethics

Richard Bauckham's Framework:

Incarnation as God's "entanglement" with creation

"Creaturely interrelatedness" through divine participation

Christocentric ≠ anthropocentric universe

Key Quote: "A christocentric universe is not an anthropocentric universe but a universe centered on the God who through incarnation participates in the interconnected life of all his creatures."

Proto-Pauline vs. Deutero-Pauline cosmological development

Communicative structures in early Christian literature

Hellenistic influences (Stoic cosmogonies, Philonic Platonism)

Central Concepts

Schöpfungschristologie (Creation-Christology)

Christ as creature and creation principle

Kenosis as theological-ethical argument

New creation through overcoming death

Body of Christ Metaphor

Ecclesiological space for cosmic transformation

Solidarity ethics based on shared creatureliness

Anthropological purpose: new way of relating to creation

Cosmic Reconciliation

Colossians 1:20: "reconcile to himself all things"

Universal scope: "things in heaven and things on earth"

Cross as defining anthropological constant

Ethical Implications

Environmental Responsibility

Participation in Creation's Suffering (Romans 8:22)

Shared "groaning" (συστενάζω) with creation

Solidarity through common creatureliness

Transformative Ethics

Romans 12:2: μεταμορφοῦσθε - be transformed

New creation reality (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)

Universal Community Orientation

Beyond anthropocentric preservation models

Creation responsibility as inherently creational task