Minding Creation

By Ian A. McFarland

Book Description

What if the entire universe possesses a form of consciousness that connects all creation to the divine? Joanna Leidenhag presents a groundbreaking exploration of panpsychism through a Christian theological lens, challenging conventional assumptions about consciousness, spirituality, and our relationship with the natural world.

Drawing from an impressive range of theological and philosophical traditions, Leidenhag weaves together insights from Augustine of Hippo and Gottfried von Leibniz with contemporary thinkers like Thomas Nagel, Galen Strawson, and David Chalmers. This scholarly synthesis creates a fresh perspective on age-old questions about God's presence in creation, the nature of the soul, and humanity's unique role in the cosmic order.

The author develops what she terms "theological panpsychism," proposing that God created a universe filled with intrinsic experience and indwelling powers at every level. This vision presents creation itself as possessing sacramental value, where the Holy Spirit dwells internally throughout all existence, and where the natural world participates in divine worship.

For readers grappling with environmental concerns and seeking deeper spiritual connection to the world around them, this work offers profound implications. Leidenhag's approach suggests that protecting creation becomes not just an ethical imperative, but a sacred duty to honor the consciousness and divine presence that permeates all things. Her theological framework invites a transformative understanding of our interconnectedness with the living universe.