Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration: Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, Nature, and Creation

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Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought S E R I E S E D I TO R S George E. Demacopoulos and Aristotle Papanikolaou This series consists of books that seek to bring Orthodox Christianity into an engagement with contemporary forms of thought. Its goal is to promote (1) historical studies in Orthodox Christianity that are interdisciplinary, employ a variety of methods, and speak to contemporary issues; and (2) constructive theological arguments in conversation with patristic sources and that focus on contemporary questions ranging from the traditional theological and philosophical themes of God and human identity to cultural, political, economic , and ethical concerns. The books in the series explore both the relevancy of Orthodox Christianity to contemporary challenges and the impact of contemporary modes of thought on Orthodox self-understandings. Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, Nature, and Creation edited by John Chryssavgis and Bruce V. Foltz F O R D H A M U N I V E R S I T Y P R E S S New York • 2013 Copyright © 2013 Fordham University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system , or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording , or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. Fordham University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Fordham University Press also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Toward an ecology of transfiguration : orthodox Christian perspectives on environment, nature, and creation / edited by John Chryssavgis and Bruce V. Foltz. —First edition pages cm— (Orthodox Christianity and contemporary thought) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: “Can Orthodox Christianity offer spiritual resources uniquely suited to the environmental concerns of today? This book makes the case emphatically that it can indeed. In addition to being the first substantial and comprehensive collection of essays, in any language , to address environmental issues from the Orthodox point of view, this volume (with contributions from many of the most influential theologians and philosophers in contemporary world Orthodoxy) will engage a wide audience, in academic as well as popular circles— resonating not only with Orthodox audiences but with all those in search of a fresh approach to environmental theory and ethics that can bring to bear the resources of ancient spirituality, often virtually unknown in the West, on modern challenges and dilemmas”—Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-0-8232-5144-5 (hardback)—ISBN 978-0-8232-5145-2 (paper) 1. Orthodox Eastern Church—Doctrines. 2. Ecology—Religious aspects—Orthodox Eastern Church. 3. Nature—Religious aspects—Orthodox Eastern Church. 4. Creation. 5. Human ecology—Religious aspects—Orthodox Eastern Church. I. Chryssavgis, John. II. Foltz, Bruce V. BX323.T69 2013 261.8'80882819—dc23 2013002532 Printed in the United States of America 15 14 13 5 4 3 2 1 First edition ...