THE IMMORTAL DIVINE SPIRIT IN ALL THINGS (WIS 11:21-12:2) AGAINST ‘TYRANNICAL ANTHROPOCENTRICISM’ (LAUDATO SÍ, 68)
Keywords:
Pope Francis, Divine Spirit, Environment, Environmental Theology, Laudato Si, Pantheism, Patriarch BartholomewAbstract
Disproportionate emission of greenhouse gases has impacted very
negatively on humans, animals and the entire environment. Humans
perpetuate environmental degradation through their actions; and
terminal ailments have become commonplace.
Some environmentalists fault the anthropology of the Judeo-Christian
Scripture or religion, accusing it of tyrannical anthropocentricism,
which encourages humans to exploit the environment all the more.
Pope Francis, in his Encyclical Laudato Sí, has rightly pointed out that
this is a wrong interpretation of the Bible. He has rather called all
humans to work together to protect the dignity of all creatures.
This study has affirmed the Pope’s assertion through an in-depth
exegetical study of Wis 11:21-12:2, a text that asserts the “immortal
divine spirit” in all things. Every created thing has its immortal form in
the divine mind that created it for a specific purpose. The form remains
even when human beings can no longer see the matter. This study
establishes a strong footing for authentic environmental theology.
Consequently humans should not abuse any creature. Practical things
that individuals could do daily to care for the environment are discussed.
References
John Chryssavgis, On Earth as in Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew, Bronx, New York: Fordham University Press 2012; LS, 9.
James L. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction, Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, 166. He refers to also James M. Reese, Hellenistic Influence on the Book of Wisdom and Its Consequences, Analecta Biblica 41, Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 1970.
“Dynamis,” in F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick William Danker, ed., Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, 2nd Edition, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1965, 52; “kratos” in F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick William Danker, ed., 113.
“Kratos,” in The Abridged Liddell-Scott Greek-English Lexicon in Bible Works, 7.0; Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006.
“Hropē,” in J. Lust, E. Eynikel, and K. Hauspie, A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint, Vols. 1 & 2, German Bible Society, 1996, in Bible Works, 7.0, Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006.
José Vílchez, “Wisdom,” in The International Bible Commentary, ed. William R. Farmer, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1998, 908-922, at 917.
