Theology of Creation in a Cosmic and Evolutionary World (CT3020Y)

Monday, 6pm Unit Outline Theology of Creation in a Cosmic and Evolutionary World.

Lecture 1: February 23: Introduction to Unit What is the Doctrine of Creation? The Scriptures and Science on Creation Unit outline Creation from Nothing (creatio ex nihilo)

Lecture 2: March 2: The Biblical Story of Creation Hebrew Scriptures Christian Scriptures Recovering the Biblical Story

Reading: Zachary Hayes, “The Vision of the Hebrew Scriptures,” in The Gift of Being: A Theology of Creation (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2001), 25-32.

Lecture 3: March 9: The Theological Tradition on Creation Irenaeus of Lyon; Athanasius of Alexandria; Augustine; Hildegard of Bingen; Bonaventure Calvin Teilhard de Chardin

Reading: Anne M. Clifford, “Creation,” in Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011), 214-227.

Lecture 4: March 16: Darwin, Evolution & Theological Tradition Darwin and the Theologians: God and Evolution Darwin and the Triune God of Love

Reading: Elizabeth Johnson, “All Creation Groaning,” in Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love (London: Bloomsbury, 2014), 181-210.

Lecture 5: March 23: The God of Creation and Ecology: Ladato Si’ Augustine, Richard of St Victor and Bonaventure The World as Sign of Divine Trinity Ecological Responsibility and Ladato Si’

Reading: Denis Edwards, “Sublime Communion: The Theology of the Natural World in Laudato Si’” in Theological Studies 77 (2016): 377-391.

[Non-Teaching Period: EASTER: 30 March to 10th April: No class on March 30th and 6th April]

Lecture 6: April 13: Humanity in a Cosmic Context The early story: Anthropocentricism Recovery of the Biblical Tradition Vatican II on Humanity and the Cosmos

Reading: Denis Edwards, “Human beings Before God in an Evolutionary World,” in The God of Evolution: A Trinitarian Theology (New York/Mahwah: Paulist press, 1999), 56-77.

Lecture 7: April 20: Sin and Evil (Theodicy) The long shadow of Augustine Original Sin or Original Blessing? Council of Trent Contemporary interpretations

Reading: Ted Peters, “Evolution, Evil and Theology of the Cross,” in STK 83/2(2007): 98-120.

Lecture 8: April 27: Christ in a Cosmic and Evolutionary Context Irenaeus of Lyon Medieval understandings Teilhard de Chadin A Cosmic Christology

Reading: Paul O’Callaghan, “Christ and Creation,” in God’s Gift of the Universe: An Introduction to Creation Theology (Washington: Catholic University of Americas Press, 2022), 147-163.

Lecture 9: May 4: Contemporary Theologies of Creation Karl Rahner Elizabeth Johnson Ilia Delio John Haught

Reading: Anthony Kelly, “A Eucharistic Ecology,” in Laudato Si’: An Integral Ecology and the Catholic Vision (Adelaide: ATF Theology, 2016), 111-138.

Lecture 10: May 11: Special Questions in Creation Theology Material Creation: an awakening to interiority and spiritual awareness (Haught) Spiritual Creation (Angels and demons)

Reading: John Haught, “Dawning,” in The New Cosmic Story: Inside Our Awakening Universe (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2017), 7-26.

Lecture 11: May 18: The Future of Creation: Destruction or Renewal? Current Theological view; Current Scientific view; The Conversation: What can we say?

Reading: Zachary Hayes, “Creation and the Future,” in The Gift of Being: A Theology of Creation (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2001), 117-124.

Lecture 12: May 25: A Theology of Creation in 21st Century Review of Unit Presenting a Current Theology of Creation in a Cosmic and Evolutionary world: Class Project