Re-reading a 19th-Century Bishop's "Gospel of Creation"
The Surprising Roots of Christian Environmentalism
Introduction
In an age of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, the question of how religious traditions inform our relationship with the natural world has never been more urgent. While many view ecological theology as a distinctly modern development, few would expect to find its roots in the work of a 19th-century Anglican bishop. Yet Brooke Foss Westcott, a renowned biblical scholar and Bishop of Durham, developed what he termed a "Gospel of Creation" that remarkably anticipated contemporary Christian ecological thought 1 .
Historical Significance
Westcott's 1886 essay represents an early venture into ecological theology, offering a vision of creation as sacred text demanding both reverence and responsible stewardship 1 .
Intellectual Context
His theological project emerged in response to the Victorian crisis of faith triggered by Darwinian evolution and biblical criticism 1 .
The Making of an Ecological Thinker
Westcott in His Victorian Context
Intellectual Crossroads
Brooke Foss Westcott (1825-1901) stood at the crossroads of multiple 19th-century intellectual currents as both Cambridge professor and bishop 1 .
Biblical Scholarship Foundation
His close reading of Johannine literature, particularly his extensive work on the Gospel of John, informed his understanding of creation as fundamentally grounded in the divine Logos 2 .
Bridging Theology
Westcott's approach was notably bridging and synthetic—a quality symbolized by his fascination with bridges, representing his "life-long commitment to the reconciling of contradictory positions" 1 .
Fulfilment Theology
This synthesizing tendency manifested particularly in "fulfilment theology," the view that non-Christian religions contained elements that found their ultimate fulfilment in Christianity 5 .
Response to Fragmentation
His "Gospel of Creation" emerged as a response to the "crisis of the sciences" that had "fragmented human knowledge," creating disciplinary silos 1 .
Key Concepts in Westcott's "Gospel of Creation"
Unfinished Creation
Westcott understood creation not as static but as a dynamic, ongoing process oriented toward fulfilment in Christ 5 .
Key Concepts in Westcott's Ecological Theology
| Concept | Traditional Understanding | Westcott's Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Creation | Static completed product | Dynamic, ongoing process |
| Human Role | Dominion as domination | Priestly mediation |
| Natural World | Material resource | Sacramental revelation |
| Biblical Interpretation | Doctrinal proof-text | Unity of Scripture and nature |
Westcott Versus Prevailing Worldviews
Contrasting Theologies of Nature
Answering Lynn White's Challenge
In 1966, historian Lynn White Jr. famously accused Christianity of promoting anthropocentric arrogance toward nature 4 . Westcott's work, predating White's critique by eighty years, offers a profound refutation by presenting a vision of creation that is theocentric rather than anthropocentric 1 4 .
Beyond Stewardship
While many contemporary Christian environmentalists advocate for "stewardship," Westcott's vision moves even beyond this framework to a priestly paradigm that repositions humans as participants in a community of creation 1 .
Contrasting Views of Nature in Christian Thought
| Theological Model | View of Nature | Human Role | Biblical Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominion Model | Resource for human use | Master over nature | Genesis 1:28 |
| Stewardship Model | Trust to be managed | Responsible steward | Genesis 2:15 |
| Westcott's Priestly Model | Sacramental community | Mediator and priest | Johannine cosmology |
Comparative Impact of Different Theological Models
Westcott's Legacy and Modern Ecological Theology
Ecological Interpretation
Westcott's approach to biblical texts emphasized themes of cosmic redemption, contrasting with otherworldly salvation focus 4 .
Contemporary Resources
His work provides historical depth to Christian ecological ethics, showing concern for creation has traditional roots 1 .
Westcott's Influence on Modern Christian Ecological Thought
| Modern Development | Connection to Westcott | Contemporary Application |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramental Ecology | Vision of nature as revealing God | Eucharistic environmental ethics |
| Ecumenical Ecology | Anglican foundations with ecumenical potential | Orthodox-Christian dialogue on creation |
| Fulfilment Ecology | Non-Christian traditions contain ecological wisdom | Interreligious cooperation on environmental issues |
Conclusion: Westcott's Unfinished Gospel for an Ecological Age
Brooke Foss Westcott's "Gospel of Creation" represents a significant yet often overlooked contribution to Christian ecological thought. Developed in response to the intellectual crises of the Victorian era, his theology offers enduring resources for addressing our contemporary environmental crisis 1 .
His sacramental vision of nature, understanding of creation as an unfinished project, and concept of humanity's priestly role together form a comprehensive framework that challenges both exploitation and mere management of the natural world.
Perhaps most importantly, Westcott's work demonstrates that ecological concern is not foreign to Christian tradition but emerges from its deepest theological commitments.
The challenge for contemporary readers is to take up Westcott's project in our own context, translating his 19th-century insights into 21st-century ecological practice. As he himself recognized, understanding the "intricacies of the parts" is essential to grasping the whole—a method that applies equally to biblical texts, natural ecosystems, and the complex global systems we must now learn to steward with wisdom and reverence 1 .