Exercises in New Creation from Paul to Kierkegaard

by T. Wilson Dickinson

Overview

This book unfolds a vision for philosophical theology centered on the practices of the care of the self, the city, and creation. Rooted in Paul’s articulation of the wisdom of the cross, and in conversation with ecological, radical, and political theologies; continental philosophy; and political ecology, it addresses the challenge of injustice and ecological catastrophe. Part one reads 1 Corinthians as an exercise in reading and writing that shapes and changes relationships and capabilities. Part two follows this alternative path for theology through Derrida and Kierkegaard, and neglected trajectories in Origen, Augustine, and Luther. Along the way, reading and writing are explored as exercises that transform selves, communities, and even habitats. They are creaturely acts that can scandalize the dominant orders of consumption and competition for the ends of love and justice. This is a philosophical theology engaged with political ecology, exercises that help cultivate new creation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319978437
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	08/27/2018
Series:	Radical Theologies and Philosophies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	592 KB

About the Author

T. Wilson Dickinson teaches theology and is Director of the Doctor of Ministry and Continuing Education Programs at Lexington Theological Seminary, USA.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1  Introduction: Care of the Self, City, and Creation

PART ONE: The Wisdom of the Cross

Chapter 2  Reading Paul in Radical, Late Ancient, and Prophetic Perspective

Chapter 3  Wisdom: Paul’s Exercises of Care for a Commercialized Corinth

Chapter 4  The Cross: The Slow Violence of Gentlemen and the Wisdom of Self-Giving Love

Chapter 5  Exercises: Paul’s Practices of Reading and Writing for Social Transformation

Chapter 6  New Creation: Pauline Social Experiments for Love and Justice

PART TWO: The Wisdom of Crossings

Chapter 7  Pauline Resonances in Luther, Derrida, and Kierkegaard

Chapter 8 The Writing of Creatures: The Environmentality of Confessions in Derrida and Augustine

Chapter 9  The Caregiver of Copenhagen: Kierkegaard's Re-Education of the Age of Information

Chapter 10  Caring for Creatures: Kierkegaard's Exercises for a Simple Way of Life

Chapter 11  Conclusion: Reading and Writing for Sustainability

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In this provocative book, Dickinson emerges as a fresh new voice in the field of philosophical theology. Exercises in New Creation recovers the heart of Paul’s practice of wisdom in Corinthians and follows this practice forward through Augustine, Luther, Kierkegaard, and Derrida. Here philosophical theology becomes political theology in its opposition to current injustice, and most importantly political ecology in its envisioning of a new ethic of care with and for the planet.” (Clayton Crockett, University of Central Arkansas and Global Center for Advanced Studies, USA)

“Care for self, city, earth—as the prophetic work of the new creation? Even in Paul, Augustine, and Kierkegaard, whose variously urbane genius has almost never been recognized as ecological? With his wondrously fresh readings, Dickinson lures philosophical theology into a practice of radical wisdom. He leads us where we might, really might, yetgo, in a joyful, disarming dance of ecosocial justice.” (Catherine Keller, George T. Cobb Professor of Constructive Theology, Drew University, USA)

“Exercises in New Creation meditates Paul’s logos of the Cross as a call for the renewal of this world, where a cosmic Christ is the focal point of practices of care for the self, the soil and the city. Dickinson is a welcome new theological voice, astute and inspiring, calling for collective transformational practices, engaging head on the rising global peril and the neoliberal greed driving it.” (John D. Caputo, Thomas J. Watson Professor Emeritus of Religion, Syracuse University, and David R. Cook Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Villanova University, USA)

Editorial Reviews

Exercises in New Creation is … a worthy companion to all of the philosophical commentary on Pauline thought that has appeared over the past few decades, and one that very much gets to the heart of the theological importance of these otherwise philosophical endeavors.” (Colby Dickinson, Reading Religion, readingreligion.org, May 21, 2019)

From the Publisher