Without Nature?: A New Condition for Theology

"Without Nature?: A New Condition for Theology" delves into a profound and increasingly relevant question: In an age of unprecedented human influence, does "nature" as we once understood it still exist? This thought-provoking collection of essays brings together leading natural and social scientists, alongside prominent Christian theologians and ethicists, to grapple with the complex implications of our changing relationship with the natural world. Published by Fordham University Press in 2009, this book challenges the traditional theological understanding of nature as a static backdrop against which the dynamism of grace unfolds. The essays explore the malleability of nature in the face of human intervention, examining how weather patterns, animal populations, topographical contours, and even our genetic composition are now subject to our influence. The book acknowledges the growing debate surrounding the "postnatural" era, where some argue that nature has disappeared entirely. It also recognizes the opposing view, which emphasizes nature's ineradicable role as a context for life. Christian theology, deeply rooted in Western traditions that rely on a stable concept of nature, finds itself at a critical juncture. Any theological inquiry into the shifting landscape of nature demands a reflexive and radically interdisciplinary approach. "Without Nature?" doesn't offer easy answers, but it sparks crucial conversations about the role of nature in theological ethics, how ethical deliberation might proceed in a world "without nature," and the relationship between the religious drive to transform human nature and the technological quest to transcend human limits. The contributors consider whether the potential "end of nature" would render the concept of grace less comprehensible, forcing us to re-evaluate fundamental theological concepts. The book, comprised of 448 pages, provides invaluable insights for students and scholars of theology, ethics, environmental studies, philosophy, and anyone interested in the future of humanity's relationship with the natural world. This first edition paperback challenges readers to re-imagine the foundations of theological thought in light of our rapidly changing world.