Pauline Epistles

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the Pauline eschatological vision of cosmic liberation and renewal ecologically as reconciling all things, not just the rift between God and humanity. Beginning with Rom 8:18–23, which portrays creation as a living subject, it examines key interpretive questions, including the passage’s intertextual connection with Gen 3:17–19 and other intertexts. It argues that humanity’s loss of God’s glory (Rom 1:18–23) contrasts with the creation’s ongoing ability to communicate God’s glory, articulated in Psalm19 (cf. Rom 10:18). Creation actively “groans” and “labors” together with humans toward a shared future of freedom and glory. Creation’s subjection to futility and its slavery to perishability (Rom 8:20–21) are analyzed as a twofold problem. The centrality of Christ’s work in creating and reconciling all things is examined in Col 1:15–20, where the cross has cosmic implications for reconciliation and peace-making. Pauline soteriology is examined through an ecological lens, and Pauline ecological ethics are discussed.

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