Sin and Ecology: A Conversation with Jürgen Moltmann and the School of René Girard

This essay will compare the approaches of Jürgen Moltmann and René Girard and those who follow his social criticism, in the light of the need for an ecological reinterpretation of the nature of sin. Sin, and the doctrine of original sin in the Western tradition goes to the very basis of the Christian story and the concept gospel. Good news is there to address bad news. In turn, the story of good news in the Christian tradition requires a thorough exploration of bad news. The need for an ecologically sound harmartiology begs the question of ktisiology and the very nature of ‘God the Father Creator of heaven and earth’. It leads us to ask: Why is the Christian faith a salvific faith? Why redemption and what is it?