On 20th May at 1pm Prof. Bob White will give a seminar entitled ‘Volcanoes: Reflections of Heaven or Hell?’
Abstract
Contemporary writers often reach for religious metaphors when they seek to catch your attention. There are numerous adverts for holidays ‘in paradise’. They are frequently places of unusual natural beauty which often transpire to be volcanic islands (a quick internet search will reveal holidays ‘in paradise’ advertised in Hawaii, Mauritius, the Azores, Tahiti, Canaries, Cape Verdes, La Réunion – all volcanic islands). It is perhaps unsurprising because volcanic islands are some of the most fertile and biodiverse places on earth. In contrast, reporters from war zones such as Gaza will often describe the devastation as ‘a scene from hell’. It is striking theologically that the holidays in paradise are described as places where raw creation is most evident, whereas the scenes from hell are places where human conflict has caused destruction, death and disorder. I will describe the beauty and the hazards caused by volcanoes around the world and the way in which human actions or inactions, often stemming from greed, corruption and a desire for power have turned these hazards into disasters. Last, I will look at theological insights from the Bible which use imagery from volcanoes and other natural phenomena to describe both the joy of the promised new creation (‘heaven or paradise’) for those who put their trust in God, contrasted with the pain and separation of those who knowingly turn their backs on God (‘hell’).
A light sandwich lunch will be provided from 12:30 in the Healey Room, Westminster College, Madingley Road Cambridge. Please be seated by 12:50 so that the seminar can start promptly.
Information for those wanting to join the seminar online will be posted here on the day of the event and also circulated to all ticket holders beforehand.
