THE FUTURE OF CREATION: ATTEMPTS AT DIALOGUE BETWEEN THEOLOGY AND SCIENCE FROM THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS

Abstract

The question is: what does it mean, then, to study the “future of creation”?  In fact, given the current ecological crisis, it is urgent to ask whether creation has a future.  Undoubtedly, it is not an easy company to answer this question.  The idea of ​​the “future of creation” can be classified in various ways, depending on whether it refers to the goal (telos) or end (finis) of creation.  If creation has a goal, this consists in its being fulfilled, and creation walks step by step and safely towards that goal.  The scientific readings of Friedman, Lamaitre, Hubble, Hyle, Hsu will help us to solve the problem in the context of the future of creation: the common idea is that there is nevertheless a marked asymmetry between the initial state and the final state of creation.  On the other hand, the Christian reading of Okure, Moltmann, Pena, Boff, will show us that all things were created with a view to the Messiah, for the Messiah will redeem all things to its truth and gather them together for the kingdom of God and hence form, will lead creation to consummation.