κτίσις in Romans 8:18-23 in Light of Ancient Greek and Roman Environmental Concerns: A Suggestion

Abstract

Despite a great deal of study on the meaning of the word κτίσις in Romans 8:18-23, there is no consensus as to the meaning  Paul ascribed to the word in this passage. There are three main views: that κτίσις may be referring to humanity only; that κτίσις may be referring to both human and non-human creation; that κτίσις may be referring to non-human creation only. In addition to reviewing the arguments set forth in favor of each view, this article seeks to bring to light pertinent factors drawn from the field of historical environmentalism, hitherto ignored by scholarship, which may lend added weight to the view that κτίσις refers to non-human creation.

Key Words: creation, Epistle to the Romans, Rom 8:18-23, historical environmentalism,
nature, environment