The Many and the One: Creation as Participation in Augustine and Aquinas

The relationship between God and the world is a major theme in modern theology and philosophy. Nouvelle Théologie, process theology, radical orthodoxy, modern Trinitarian theology, and postmodern theology all seek to reconsider this relationship. The recent revival of the theology of participation, as promoted by Radical Orthodoxy and Hans Boersma, is seen as a way forward. Ge proposes a distinctively Christian theology of participation anchored in creatio ex nihilo, developed by Augustine and Aquinas, which provides a more promising solution to the problem of the One and the Many. This theology of participation is more suitable for describing the unique relationship between God's unity and creaturely plurality than competing theories such as pluralism and reductionist physicalism. The book will also have implications for modern science-religion dialogues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

The relationship between God and the world is a subject of profound debate in modern theology and philosophy. Various movements, such as Nouvelle Théologie, process theology, radical orthodoxy, modern Trinitarian theology, and postmodern theology, aim to reexamine this relationship as a means to address perceived issues. One significant trend is the revival of the theology of participation, championed by Radical Orthodoxy in the United Kingdom and Hans Boersma in North America. In response to the challenges of excessive secularism and the fragmentation of the modern Western world, these thinkers turn to the pre-modern theology of participation as a way forward.

While Radical Orthodoxy and Boersma rely heavily on Platonism in their participatory theology, critics argue that this approach compromises the intrinsic goodness of creation. In his book, Ge proposes a distinctively Christian theology of participation rooted in creatio ex nihilo, developed by Augustine and further emphasized by Aquinas. Ge argues that this theology provides a more promising solution, securing the unity of things in God while also preserving the goodness of creaturely plurality.

To explore this topic, Ge employs Guntons framework of the one and the many in her discussion of Augustine and Aquinas' theologies of participation. By reshaping their concepts of participation in light of the doctrine of creation, Ge demonstrates how these thinkers profoundly transformed the metaphysics of participation, making it more suitable for describing the unique relationship between God's unity and creaturely plurality.

This Christian metaphysics of participation represents a significant advancement over Radical Orthodoxy and Boersma, as well as competing theories. It offers a holistic and coherent understanding of the relationship between God and the world, recognizing the importance of both divine and creaturely aspects. By embracing the theology of participation, Christians can better navigate the complexities of our contemporary world and find meaning and purpose in our existence.

Weight: 481g
Dimension: 238 x 162 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793629104