Presentation – “Nature Mysticism and Eco-Justice: Themes in the Bible, Swedenborg, and Emerson”, Rev. David J. Fekete, PhD
Posted on: Sep 30, 2019
CUE Institute of Christian Studies and Society invites you to attend the presentation “Nature Mysticism and Eco-Justice: Themes in the Bible, Swedenborg, and Emerson” by Rev. David J. Fekete, PhD.
The presentation will be held on Wednesday, October 9th, at 3 pm in room HAC 208.
Summary
For religious people, Nature was created by God. But there have been a great variety of views on how Nature should be regarded and treated. Are we to dominate and subdue Nature? Is Nature sacred? Is Nature only a set of dead chemicals?
How we view Nature will determine how we treat Nature. The Bible, the mystical theologian Swedenborg, and the Transcendentalist poet Emerson see Nature as Spiritual. The Bible suggests that Nature is within the Body of Christ. By looking at select passages from the Bible, Swedenborg, and Emerson, we will understand the sanctity of Nature. Viewed this way, we are not free to interact with Nature in any other way than reverentially.
About the presenter
Rev. Dave Fekete, Ph.D. is a Swedenborgian minister, holding a B.A. summa cum laude from Urbana University in Philosophy of Science, an M.T.S. from Harvard University in Religion and Culture, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in Religion and Literature. His dissertation explored Eliot’s literary articulations of eros. Currently, Rev. Dr. Fekete is the Swedenborgian representative to the National Council of Churches of Christ Faith and Order Convening Table, and is an Academic Senator and Faculty Advisor at Saint Stephen’s College.