Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril
by Elizabeth A. Johnson
On This Page
Description
In this fresh creative approach to theology, Elizabeth Johnson asks how we can understand cosmic redemption in a time of advancing ecological devastation. In effect, how can we extend the core Christian belief in salvation to include all created beings? Immediately this question runs into a formidable obstacle: the idea that Jesus's death on the cross was required as atonement for human sin-- a theology laid out by the eleventh-century theologian St. Anselm. Constructing her argument (like show more Anselm) in the form of a dialogue, Johnson lays out the foundations in scripture, the teachings of Jesus, and the early Church for an understanding that emphasizes the love and mercy of God, showing how this approach can help us respond to a planet in peril. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Johnson's theological narrative attempts to connect ecological theories of destruction and distinction with a view that God is known by all creatures through their natural instincts. Humans are the enemy, guilty of establishing structures of evil intent. Jesus did not have to die (and one gets the impression he was not supposed to die) especially in the way he did. Johnson speculates Jesus didn't really know he was going to die in his last venture to Jerusalem. She also maintains that it was the Romans who connived to crucify him as an insurrectionist, not the Jews who tried to remove him. The resurrection may have happened, but one understands from her theology, it wasn't necessary. It was "creative interpretation" and myth, imposed by show more later generations. It was helpful to find the USCCB denounced her as promulgating a theology contrary to Church teaching. I think she is simply one of many looking to justify saving mosquitos by displacing very bad humans, and using a distorted theology to give semblance of justice. Too bad. show less
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Mo's Reading List
218 works; 1 member
Mo's Reading List (Abridged)
75 works; 1 member
Author Information

16+ Works 2,296 Members
Elizabeth A. Johnson, a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, is Distinguished Professor of Theology Emerita at Fordham University. A former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, she is the author of many books, including She Who Is (winner of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion), Quest for the Living God, Ask the Beasts: Darwin show more and the God of Love, Abounding in Kindness: Writings for the People of God, and The Strength of Her Witness: Jesus Christ in the Global Voices of Women. show less
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 70
- Popularity
- 448,954
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (2.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1























































