Oliver O’Donovan’s moral theology, world order, and the practice of ecological restoration: a theological phenomenology of ecological restoration

Lewis, Robert Q. ORCID: 0000-0003-3686-6562 (2024). Oliver O’Donovan’s moral theology, world order, and the practice of ecological restoration: a theological phenomenology of ecological restoration. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The United Nations has named the decade of 2021-2030 “The UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”. According to the UN scientists, this decade represents the last chance to avoid catastrophic climate change. There has never been a more perspicuous time for theologians to address the issue of ecological restoration. The problem is a fundamental question about who we are as modern humans, what constitutes a world, and the relation to temporality. In other words, the answer is deeply theological. In this thesis, I argue that thinking about restoration requires a theological phenomenological exploration of self, world, and time. I examine Oliver O’Donovan phenomenological ethics series, Ethics as Theology, as an applied ethic for understanding the relationship between Creator, creature, and ecological restoration. I propose that O’Donovan’s theological phenomenology approach to ethics allows for a ground-up look at the practice of restoration, from a dirt under the fingernail perspective. My approach is multi-faceted, arguing that restoration must address various concerns—a shared world, subjectivity, and temporal limits. I present theological phenomenological ethics as a countervailing method to the anxiety inducing neoliberalism by appealing to the moods of faith, hope, and love. Highlighting these relationships is intended to elucidate for Christians how they might think about ecological restoration and degraded ecosystems. To illuminate these issues, I critique current restoration practices that I argue are antithetical to a Christian ethic—specifically those associated with neoliberalism.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):