This thesis argues that largely due to the rise of scientific cosmologies, we have lost the sense of the mystical and the sacred within creation. Not only that, we have moved away from the sense of a cosmologically based Christology that places Christ at the heart of creation as co-creator with God and who is referred to as the Cosmic Christ. The scientific cosmology of Isaac Newton informed humanity that it exists in a static, clock-work like universe, where God has become more distant and abstract, placing him outside of creation. This research therefore examines the idea of what might be described as a 'missing link' that is, the notion of a living divine cosmology. Working from within the framework of a living cosmology, Christ remains active alongside God within creation. The concept of unification between God, Christ, humanity and nature (inclusive of all creatures) and the inter-relatedness and connection that exists between them is examined throughout the work. Methodologically, as the thesis is approached from a feminist perspective, I have engaged with women's experience as a focus and from the point of view of the two mystics used I have employed textual analysis; this applies in particular to Hildegard of Bingen which leads into a field of hermeneutics in both cases. The thesis is divided into five main chapters, identifying three main themes: Cosmic Christ, apocalyptic and the sacred feminine. It addresses the notion of apocalyptic and the global ecological crisis in contemporary times where I examine the idea that humanity's behaviour is destroying creation. I consider the implications of the Christian ecological roots of the crisis and how we may move forward by looking at the writings of eco-feminists. By examining the visionary writings of twelfth century prophet and mystic Hildegard of Bingen, who believed in a living cosmology and consulting the writings of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit priest whose work is also cosmological, we discover crucial insights into how they understood humanity, creation and the cosmos. The synthesised components of this thesis work well together in drawing out from a feminist viewpoint what I believe to be a plausible, comprehensive and explicit blueprint for a modem day creation cosmology; one that emerges from a sense ofthe apocalyptic and addresses imbalance through recovering the sacred feminine and has the Cosmic Christ at its . heart. In placing the Cosmic Christ at the centre, this cosmology is living and loving and sacred.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:631718 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Behan, Christine |
| Publisher | University of Liverpool |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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