The Future of Christian Thinking: Lessons from the Easter Vigil

Abstract

ABSTRACT:This paper, which originated in the conference "The Future of Christian Thinking" (Maynooth, Ireland, April 2022), argues for a conception of Christian thinking as liturgical theology. It enacts this conception in an interpretation of a central prayer from the Easter Vigil, the blessing of the baptismal waters. This rich prayer encapsulates a cosmic theology which, regarding the entire universe as part of salvation history, stands in stark contrast to the technological world of the twenty-first century, where God's creation has been reduced to a resource fueling relentless economic growth. How should the Christian react to this contrast? The paper responds to this question in its final pages, which include a reflection on the significance of the Irish devotion to holy wells.