Jesus the Wisdom of God

By Denis Edwards and Denis G. Edwards

Book Overview

'Jesus the Wisdom of God' brings together insights from wisdom literature and contemporary creation thought in a work that brilliantly illuminates an integrated ecological theology. Adding new depth to the ethical demands of our global ecological situation, Denis Edwards argues that commitment to ecological praxis springs from the very center of Christian identity in Jesus, Trinity, and humanity. Beginning with the wisdom tradition of the Hebrew scriptures, 'Jesus the Wisdom of God' explores what it means to recover the notion that Sophia-Wisdom became incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth, and shows how the universe is altered by this Incarnation. Wisdom Christology then opens out into a view of the trinitarian God at work in ongoing creation. Edwards considers the implications of the trinitarian theology of Richard of St. Victor and St. Bonaventure, centering on the insight that every creature - including humankind - is the free self-expression of the trinitarian God. In this context humanity is revealed as integrally related to all of creation, a part of a single cosmic story. While at one with creation in evolutionary history, humanity is, at the same time, creation come to self-awareness. This train of insights leads to principles for an ecological praxis that affirms human value while insisting that humanity is a part of nature. The whole reinforces commitment to sustainability and a Franciscan attitude of reverence toward God's creation. 'Jesus the Wisdom of God', in a disciplined yet clear way, crafts an alternative to the anthropocentrism and alienation of much of Christian tradition by finding in the very roots of Christian mysticism - and Christian identity - a truly ecological theology for our time. It is profound reading for students, theologians, and all Christians concerned with ecology, and with the interface of science and theology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597520500
• ISBN13: 9781597520508
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A much needed focus on cosmic christology.

This is a good book that makes many fine points. I found especially interesting the link between ancient Jewish Wisdom literature and the subsequent developement of New Testament views of the personification of Wisdom in Jesus Christ. Alse good was Edward's pointing out of the importance of respecting Creations' Creator by honoring the Creation, hence an Ecological Theology. It is a fact that much of our Human pollution of the world is a blatant sign of our being sinful/selfish fallen beings. That last line being my own take on the Environmental Crisis. I recommend this book.