In this essay you will make an argument in response to this core question: In what ways does Elizabeth A. Johnson offer an ecologically resonant vision of Christianity in Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love? You will open your essay with an introductory paragraph, culminating in a thesis statement that responds directly to this core question.
In the body of your paper, you will consider the following:
In “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis” Lynn White Jr. (in)famously critiques Christianity–particularly in its Western form–for being “the most anthropocentric religion the world has seen.” First, you will summarize White’s argument. What does he argue and how does he make his case? What is the “alternative Christian view” that he proposes at the end of his essay? Next, you will critically analyze White’s argument. What elements of his argument are compelling? What elements of his argument are worthy of critique? In the process, consider this question: how might White’s critique of “anthropocentrism” be enhanced through the insights of authors who are sensitive to the connection between ecology and social justice (Cone, Pope Francis, Johnson, Di Chiro, etc.)?
After laying out White’s perspective and critically engaging it, you will spend the bulk of the essay analyzing Elizabeth A. Johnson’s Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love. In what ways does Johnson offer an ecologically resonant vision of Christianity? In the process, please reflect on the following questions: How does Johnson depict the relationship between God, human beings, and the natural world? How, for Johnson, are human beings called to act in the world, as members of the “community of creation”?
Lastly, you will compare Johnson’s Christian depiction of the relationship between human beings and the wider earth community, to other religious traditions we have encountered this semester (Jainism, Daoism, an indigenous tradition, etc.). How are they similar? How are they different? How might they both promote ecologically sustainable modes of being?
Please be sure to include at least 2 quotes from White’s essay, 3 quotes from Johnson’s Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love, and 2 quotes from additional course readings.
The essay must be submitted to me on the day of the final exam. If you have not completed the essay by this time, you must submit the draft of the essay that you have completed. (Iona requires all professors to submit final course grades very soon after the final exam). Please double-space your paper and use 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Please use 1 inch margins (left, right, top, and bottom). Please cite the source of your quote by including the author’s last night and the page number. Ex: Rasmussen asserts that “each human being is a little universe, a microcosm of the macrocosm” (Rasmussen 15).
In addition to emailing me your paper, please be certain to follow Iona’s instructions regarding how to submit a Core Signature Assignment to the Core Committee at Iona. Please review the Instructions for CSA Uploads, which are included on Blackboard as a distinct document.