The Play of Goodness

One of the enduring claims in the Christian tradition is that creation is good. Given the diversity of experience and the abundance of suffering in the world, however, such an affirmation is not always straightforward. The Play of Goodness provides a phenomenology of creation’s goodness that clarifies the ongoing relevance of the doctrine today. It argues that the goodness of creation is not synonymous with a confession of faith and does not require an overly optimistic disposition; instead, that which is “good” about creation appears within diverse and often surprising circumstances. Alongside original contributions to French phenomenology and creation theology, The Play of Goodness counterbalances negative tendencies in continental philosophy, clarifies the experiential dynamics of an important doctrine, and identifies shared points of contact between people in an increasingly polarized world. The book demonstrates that theological concepts do not need to be presented in opposition to secular, agnostic, or atheist perspectives in order to be relevant. The affirmation of creation’s goodness has the potential to animate an abiding affection for one’s place, accentuate our reasons to care for it, and confirm that what happens in our lives is of genuine significance.