T&T Clark Christ, Creation and the Cosmic Goal of Redemption: A Study of Pauline Creation Theology as Read by Irenaeus and Applied to Ecotheology: 580 (The Library of New Testament Studies)

How can ancient texts speak wisdom into the pressing issues of today? J.J. Johnson Leese shows that the apostle Pauls writing about Christs relationship to creation read alongside the astute interpretation of these texts by Irenaeus of Lyon can provide a meaningful contribution to the contemporary ecotheological conversation. Leese draws upon the integration of three related scholarly trends the increased importance placed on biblical creation themes, the emergence of ecotheology, and the history of reception while focusing on the Pauline corpus and readings of Paul by Irenaeus to uncover a robust creation and ecotheological theology. Leese shows how Irenaeus creation theology was constructed through connecting and organizing biblical creation texts into a Christological framework. Irenaeus approach provides possibilities for Paul to contribute to ecotheology, not as a set of unconnected proof texts, but by way of a theological vision where the whole of reality in relationship to Christ and creation and by extension, to soteriology and ecclesiology, are central components of Pauls theology.