Clive W. Ayre

Eco-salvation: The redemption of all creation

Traditional theologies of salvation tend to focus largely, if not solely, on the human condition; but by means of a hermeneutic of suspicion, this paper seeks to widen that focus to include the creation itself. The paper holds the notion of covenant as foundational for an ecologically relevant soteriology, and following Buhlmann, argues that the primary covenant is the covenant of creation. The paper views creation from the perspective of suffering, and in that perceives Christ suffering beyond the cross. The paper goes on to argue that the doctrines of creation and redemption must be held together. That leads to the recognition of the kingdom of God in the teaching of Jesus as the basis of God’s holistic new creation in the world. The paper concludes with some implications for eco-mission, and Moltmann’s point that the heart of creation is the Sabbath, understood as a transformation of encounter and a renewal of covenant.