A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism

Genesis 2:15 has been widely used to support both a vocational dimension of work and an earth-caring attitude that goes beyond the dominion narrative of Genesis 1:28. However, this verse has not been interpreted to ground the connection between theology of work and ecotheology. Based on the concept...

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Main Authors: Emilio Chuvieco, Michal Karnawalski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/596
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author Emilio Chuvieco
Michal Karnawalski
author_facet Emilio Chuvieco
Michal Karnawalski
author_sort Emilio Chuvieco
collection DOAJ
description Genesis 2:15 has been widely used to support both a vocational dimension of work and an earth-caring attitude that goes beyond the dominion narrative of Genesis 1:28. However, this verse has not been interpreted to ground the connection between theology of work and ecotheology. Based on the concept of Christian materialism proposed by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, we give a new interpretation to this biblical passage in order to ground the human vocation to work by linking it to the need to care for or preserve the earth. Therefore, the transformation of creation that most professional activities carry out is qualified by the duty to do it with “care”, that is, to transform the natural world with due respect for God’s original creative plan. In this way, work can become co-creative, and the transformation of nature that work entails is linked to a divine call to develop it with respect for the inner meaning of all creatures.
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spelling doaj-art-303c98e89f9345ebb70238cfb0508e932025-08-20T01:56:39ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-05-0116559610.3390/rel16050596A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian MaterialismEmilio Chuvieco0Michal Karnawalski1Departamento de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, SpainThe Catholic Academy of Warsaw, Collegium Bobolanum, ul. Rakowiecka, 61, 02-532 Warszawa, PolandGenesis 2:15 has been widely used to support both a vocational dimension of work and an earth-caring attitude that goes beyond the dominion narrative of Genesis 1:28. However, this verse has not been interpreted to ground the connection between theology of work and ecotheology. Based on the concept of Christian materialism proposed by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, we give a new interpretation to this biblical passage in order to ground the human vocation to work by linking it to the need to care for or preserve the earth. Therefore, the transformation of creation that most professional activities carry out is qualified by the duty to do it with “care”, that is, to transform the natural world with due respect for God’s original creative plan. In this way, work can become co-creative, and the transformation of nature that work entails is linked to a divine call to develop it with respect for the inner meaning of all creatures.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/596workecotheologyenvironmenttheologyChristian MaterialismJosemaría Escrivá
spellingShingle Emilio Chuvieco
Michal Karnawalski
A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
Religions
work
ecotheology
environment
theology
Christian Materialism
Josemaría Escrivá
title A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
title_full A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
title_fullStr A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
title_full_unstemmed A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
title_short A Vocational Reading of Gen 2:15 to Link Theology of Work and Ecotheology Following Escrivá’s Christian Materialism
title_sort vocational reading of gen 2 15 to link theology of work and ecotheology following escriva s christian materialism
topic work
ecotheology
environment
theology
Christian Materialism
Josemaría Escrivá
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/596
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AT emiliochuvieco vocationalreadingofgen215tolinktheologyofworkandecotheologyfollowingescrivaschristianmaterialism
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