How Well Do You Know Christianity's Theology on Valuing the Natural World?

Valuing the Natural World in Christian Theology

• Philosophers and theologians have struggled to construct an adequate theory of valuing other species, ecosystems, and the greater biosphere.
• Scholars have grappled with questions like whether other-than-humans should be valued instrumentally or intrinsically.
• Theologians can benefit from philosophers' identification and refinement of issues regarding the value of the other-than-human beings that constitute Earth.
• The goodness of creation is a fruitful concept to explore in the Christian tradition.
• Patristic and medieval texts by some of Christianity's most eminent theologians suggest a theologically based theory of valuing.
• The major dimensions of their teachings center on the goodness of natural beings, gradations of goodness among creatures, the greater goodness of the totality of creation, the common good of creation, God's valuation, and human valuing.
• The goodness concept is reconstructed and compared positively with parallel thinking among secular philosophers who have been struggling with unresolved dilemmas pertaining to intrinsic and instrumental valuing.
• Christian theologians taught that God created the universe of many diverse animate and inanimate beings, they are all good, altogether they constitute a superlative goodness, and they are valued by God.
• Augustine of Hippo believed that every natural being is good and that Catholic Christians recognize that there are generic good things to be found in all that God has created.
• John Chrysostom believed that all of creation is good and that the goodness of the whole is greater than the goodness of the parts.
• Thomas Aquinas believed that all creatures are good and that the universe is a reflection of God's goodness.
• Behavior patterns are suggested when beginning from a basic faith in God and embracing the reconstructed goodness of creation concept.

Valuing the Natural World in Christian Theology

• Philosophers and theologians have struggled to construct an adequate theory of valuing other species, ecosystems, and the greater biosphere.
• Scholars have grappled with questions like whether other-than-humans should be valued instrumentally or intrinsically.
• Theologians can benefit from philosophers' identification and refinement of issues regarding the value of the other-than-human beings that constitute Earth.
• The goodness of creation is a fruitful concept to explore in the Christian tradition.
• Patristic and medieval texts by some of Christianity's most eminent theologians suggest a theologically based theory of valuing.
• The major dimensions of their teachings center on the goodness of natural beings, gradations of goodness among creatures, the greater goodness of the totality of creation, the common good of creation, God's valuation, and human valuing.
• The goodness concept is reconstructed and compared positively with parallel thinking among secular philosophers who have been struggling with unresolved dilemmas pertaining to intrinsic and instrumental valuing.
• Christian theologians taught that God created the universe of many diverse animate and inanimate beings, they are all good, altogether they constitute a superlative goodness, and they are valued by God.
• Augustine of Hippo believed that every natural being is good and that Catholic Christians recognize that there are generic good things to be found in all that God has created.
• John Chrysostom believed that all of creation is good and that the goodness of the whole is greater than the goodness of the parts.
• Thomas Aquinas believed that all creatures are good and that the universe is a reflection of God's goodness.
• Behavior patterns are suggested when beginning from a basic faith in God and embracing the reconstructed goodness of creation concept.

Test your knowledge of Christianity's theology on valuing the natural world with this quiz. Explore the teachings of prominent Christian theologians such as Augustine of Hippo, John Chrysostom, and Thomas Aquinas on the goodness of creation and the value of all beings, both animate and inanimate. Discover how their teachings compare to those of secular philosophers and learn about behavior patterns that can be derived from a faith in God and a belief in the inherent goodness of the natural world.