JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

This work revisits St Irenaeus of Lyons' doctrine of creation in the light of Africae Munus 79-80. The study is an attempt at addressing the problem of human ecology which does not receive much attention in global ecological discourses. Man was created in the image and likeness of God and should be the primary focus of any ecological dialogue. The paper begins with an introduction which establishes the point of our discussion and goes ahead to clarify some relevant terms. At the background of Irenaeus' doctrine is the heresy of Gnosticism which his doctrine sought to address. The origin and doctrine of Gnosticism as well as some implications are presented and Irenaeus' rebuttal is presented giving us a foundation for our ecological study. Next the background and structure of Africae Munus are presented and the focal text is highlighted and expounded. Having sought insights from other papal documents and even the African view of the human person, the work makes recommendations and comes to a conclusion.