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by Matthew J. Ramage (Author)
In Cosmic Covenant: A Catholic Theology of Creation, Matthew Ramage addresses a growing unease among faithful Catholics who cherish the beauty of the natural world yet feel alienated by much of contemporary environmental discourse. Against claims that Catholicism is indifferent--or even hostile--to ecological responsibility, Ramage shows that care for creation is not a modern add-on but a constitutive dimension of the Catholic faith. Drawing deeply from Scripture, the witness of the saints, and the teachings of recent popes, Ramage demonstrates that the created world is God's 'other book' an epiphany of divine wisdom and a realm entrusted to humanity's loving stewardship. Far from competing with revelation, creation illuminates it, inviting believers to rediscover their vocation to "till and keep" the garden of the Lord.
At the heart of this book lies the Church's distinctive vision of a cosmic covenant that binds God, humanity, and all creatures in a communion of love centered on Christ and shaped by the paschal mystery. Engaging especially the ecological thought of Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, Ramage offers a compelling alternative to both secular environmentalism and Christian disengagement. Richly theological yet pastorally grounded, Ramage articulates a Christocentric ecology that honors human dignity while embracing the interconnectedness of all creation. Readers will find here not only a robust theological framework but also practical guidance for integrating care for creation into the pursuit of holiness in everyday life.
Author Biography
Matthew J. Ramage is professor of theology and co-director of the Center for Integral Ecology at Benedictine College. The author or contributor to over thirty books, his work focuses on Scripture, creation, and the thought of Pope Benedict XVI. When he is not writing or teaching, he enjoys tending his orchard and exploring the great outdoors with his wife and eight children.
