The Difference Nothing Makes: Creation, Christ, Contemplation

This book explores the doctrinal, social, and spiritual significance of creation "from nothing" in Christian theology, arguing that it is a foundational insight into the God-world relation and has implications for Christology, soteriology, and ecology. It defends the doctrine against objections and highlights its contemplative dimensions and spiritual significance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 338 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2024
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

This book delves into the doctrinal, social, and spiritual significance of a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of Christian theology: the concept of creation "from nothing." In this groundbreaking exploration, Brian D. Robinette offers an in-depth meditation on the idea of creation ex nihilo, its application to the problem of God and its implications for Christology, soteriology, and ecology. His central argument is that creatio ex nihilo is not merely a speculative doctrine about cosmic origins but rather a foundational insight into the very nature of the God-world relationship, one that permeates the entirety of Christian imagination and practice.

In Part 1, Robinette addresses and defends the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo against various objections, highlighting its crucial insights into the nature of creation as a gift. Chapter 2 emphasizes the contemplative dimensions of a theological inquiry that proceeds through "unknowing." Part 2 draws from the field of mimetic theory to examine the creative and destructive potential of human desire. Part 3 explores the "dark night of faith" as a spiritually patient and discerning way to engage with the sense of divine absence experienced in our post-religious, post-secular age. The final chapter emphasizes creatio ex nihilo as an expression of divine love—God's love for finitude, manifestation, and relationship. Throughout the book, Robinette engages with a wide range of biblical, patristic, and contemporary theological and philosophical sources, including René Girard, Karl Rahner, and Sergius Bulgakov.

This profound exploration of creatio ex nihilo sheds light on the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith and offers a rich resource for theologians, philosophers, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the God-world relationship. It challenges us to reimagine our understanding of God, humanity, and our place in the world and encourages us to embrace the fullness of life that comes through a profound encounter with the divine.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268203535