Working and Caring for Creation: Linking Theology of Work and Ecotheology Based on Escrivá’s Christian Materialism

This book presents an innovative approach that connects ecotheology and theology of work. It expands on the concept of Christian materialism proposed by Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) to overcome dualisms that ignore the spiritual value of material realities. The author broadens Escrivá’s vision of sanctifying work, and sanctifying oneself in work and sanctifying others through work to the sanctification of the natural world. Escrivá’s vocational reading of Genesis 2:15 grounds the relevance of work for finding God in everyday realities, but also establishes a clear connection between work and creation care. Following this notion, the book looks to extend Escrivá’s ideas on the sanctification of work analogically to the sanctification of the natural world. It constructs a theological framework that proposes an earthcaring theology based on the ideas of ’environmental moral empathy’, ’ecological conversion’ and ’priest of creation’. An additional Trinitarian framework is developed along these lines that proposes a new type of work that is co-creative, co-redemptive and co-sanctifying, following the ad extra attributes of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in their providential care for creation. The volume is particularly relevant to scholars of theology with an interest in both work and the environment.

Emilio Chuvieco is Professor of Geography and Director of the Environmental Ethics chair at the University of Alcalá, Spain. He holds a DPhil in Theology from the University of Oxford, UK.