Creation and Humanity: A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World, vol. 3

by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2015

Overview

The third installment in a wide and deep constructive theology for our time.

This third volume of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen’s ambitious five volume theology project develops a Christian theology of creation and humanity (theological anthropology) in dialogue with the Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in all its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths—Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

In constructing his theology of creation and humanity, Kärkkäinen uniquely engages the natural sciences, including physical, cosmological, and neuroscientific theories. He devotes particular attention to the topics of divine action in a world subjected to scientific study, environmental pollution, human flourishing, and the theological implications of evolutionary theory—with regard to both cosmos and humanity.

Key Features

• Presents a dynamic constructive Christian theology for the pluralistic world
• Engages the present cultural and religious diversity in a way Christian theology has not done in the past
• Covers topics including race, environment, ethnicity, inclusivity, violence, and colonialism

Contents

Part I: Creation

• A New Vision for the Christian Theology of Creation
• Theology of Creation in the Matrix of Sciences, Religions, and Naturalisms
• Nature as Creation: A Theological Interpretation
• A Trinitarian Theology of Creation
• Nature and Cosmology in Religions’ Imagination
• Creation in Evolution: An Evolving Cosmos and Emerging Life
• The Trinitarian Form of Continuing Creation and Divine Action
• The Suffering and Flourishing of Nature

Part II: Humanity

• Introduction: Humanity in a Radically Changed Context
• An Evolving Humanity: Uniqueness and Dignity in Scientific Perspective
• Humanity as the Image of God: A Theological Account
• “Multidimensional Monism”: The Nature of Human Nature
• Freedom and Determinism — Divine and Human
• Humanity and Human Nature in Religions’ Teachings
• The Misery of Humanity
• Human Flourishing in Theological Perspectiv

Praise for the Print Edition

This third volume (of a projected five) in Kärkkäinen’s ‘Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralist World’ series is as superbly thoughtful and articulate as the previous two volumes. . . . Writing from a solid evangelical base, the author insists theology must engage in dialogue with the natural sciences. . . . As he did in the previous volumes, the author draws on an impressive range of scholars—scientists and theologians—to weave a lucid treatment of his subject. . . . This volume will help readers understand themselves and the world from a fresh perspective. Highly recommended.

—Choice

Kärkkäinen has done it again! With his five-volume theology now more than half complete, Veli-Matti has established himself as one of the leading evangelical theologians for the pluralistic world. With staggering breadth and depth, he engages cutting-edge science, philosophy, and the world’s religions, yet never at the cost of obscuring his Christian theological vision. This particular volume is an unrivaled guide to and through the knottiest issues facing theological anthropology and the doctrine of creation today.

—Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology

An excellent and charitable guide. . . . Kärkkäinen’s awareness and openness to the current intellectual climate, but faithfulness to his own commitments, has generated a balanced and timely contribution to systematic theology in a new global academic context.

—Reviews in Religion & Theology

Product Details

• Title: Creation and Humanity
• Author: Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
• Series: A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 574
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Topic: Creation and Anthropology

About Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen is Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and Docent of Ecumenics at University of Helsinki, Finland. A native of Finland, he has taught and lived with his family in three continents: Europe, Asia (Thailand), and North America (the U.S.) . He participates widely in international ecumenical, theological, and interreligious projects. Prior to coming to Fuller, Kärkkäinen served as president and professor at IsoKirja College in Keuruu, Finland. He has also lectured and served as visiting professor in various schools around the world. He travels widely and has a command of several languages. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves as an associate pastor in the Finnish Lutheran Church in California and Texas. He is also a world-renowned expert on Pentecostal-Charismatic theology and movements.

A prolific writer, Kärkkäinen has published thirty books and monographs - 11 books in English (and seven in his native language, Finnish), most recently The Trinity: Global Perspectives (2007), One With God: Salvation as Deification and Justification (2004), and Trinity and Religious Pluralism: The Doctrine of the Trinity in Christian Theology of Religions (2004). He is also the author of more than 100 articles, which have appeared in international scholarly journals. He is the editor (with William Dyrness) of Global Dictionary of Theology (2008). His major project is the five-volume series titled Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World (Eerdmans 2013–17) which develops Christian doctrine in dialogue with four faith traditions and sciences. . Kärkkäinen was appointed to three editorial boards in 2008, which include the “Strategic Initiatives in Systematic Theology” series by InterVarsity Press, the “Studies in Systematic Theology” series by Brill Press (Leiden, Netherlands), and the “International Journal of Systematic Theology”. He is a member of three working groups of the World Council of Churches and has participated in numerous international consultations. He is also an external examiner for Wales University.