Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril

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Fortress Press, 2000 - Religion - 251 pages
A compelling vision-before it's too lateIn this splendidly crafted work, McFague argues for theology as an ethical imperative for all thinking Christians: Responsible discipleship today entails disciplined religious reflection. Moreover, theology matters: Without serious reflection on their worldview, ultimate commitments, and lifestyle, North American Christians cannot hope to contribute to ensuring the "good life" for people or the planet. To live differently we must think differently. McFague's has therefore written primer in theology. It helps Christians assess their own religious story in light of the larger Christian tradition and the felt needs of the planet. At once an apology for an ecologically driven theology and a model for how theology itself might be expressed, her work is expressly crafted to bring people into the practice of religious reflection as a form of responsible Christian practice in the world. McFague shows the reader how articulating one's personal religious story and credo can lead directly into contextual analysis, unfolding of theological concepts, and forms of Christian practice.In lucid prose she offers creative discussions of revelation, the reigning economic worldview (and its ecological alternative), and how a planetary theology might approach classical areas of God and the world, Christ and salvation, and life in the Spirit. Enticing readers into serious self-assessment and creative commitment, McFague's new work encourages and models a theological practice that "gives glory to God by loving the world."
 

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Contents

A Brief Credo
1
Some Reflections
7
Thinking Theologically
13
A Credo
15
Theology Matters
23
A North American Liberation Theology
31
The Matter of Theology
37
Content
49
The Many Ways to Say It
136
God as Creator Liberator and Sustainer
141
How Is God Present in the World?
146
Is Reality Good?
149
Christ and Salvation
155
Ecological Christologies
158
Prophetic and Sacramental
164
Christ and the Ecological Economic Worldview
169

Criteria
55
Introduction
69
The Contemporary Economic Model and World view
73
The Contemporary Economic Worldview and the Consumer Society
79
An Assessment of the Consumer Society
91
The Ecological Economic Model and Worldview
97
The Ecological Economic Worldview and the Ecological Society
103
An Assessment of the Ecological Society
118
Introduction
125
God and the World
131
Beginning with God
133
Life in the Spirit
179
Human Existence in the Spirit
180
John Woolman and Dorothy Day
184
Life in the Church
193
Life in Society
197
Epilogue
201
A Manifesto to North American MiddleClass Christians
203
Notes
209
Index
241
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