Theology of Hope(lessness) : Constructing a Theological Understanding of Hopelessness and Searching for Theological Resources Relevant to Facing Hopelessness Experienced Due to Eco-Anxiety

This thesis aims to construct a theological understanding of hopelessness, as well as to explore what theological resources could be relevant in confronting and handling hopelessness that is endured due to the current day experience of eco-anxiety. Throughout the study hopelessness is viewed as a personal dysphoric state, as well as an individual's part in a collective response to an unjust system. This is an assumption which differs from traditional theology of hope, as hopelessness becomes not only a personal failing, but also a consequence of a failing society. Further, hope is theorized to be a concept that is available in two different forms labeled as naive hope and complex hope. Naive hope being a hope that is solely a belief, while complex hope is a hope that has further grounds, such as empirical, ontological or rational ones, upon which it stands. As such, the theological resources considered in the study are such that might aid in building a complex hope for those suffering from hopelessness, due to eco-anxiety. The material being analysed in the study is divided into the four theological themes of “The Cross”, “Holy Saturday”, “Eschatology” and “Apocalypticism”. These themes present different theological concepts that have been viewed as hopeful, or theologies of hope, in some contexts. A literary analysis is conducted on the material presented within these themes, in the search for theological resources relevant to facing and handling hopelessness. The material is not necessarily harmonious and, as such, presents different aspects of each theme that may, or may not, be considered a resource in accordance with the aim and theory of the study. Theological resources for hopelessness found within the material are summarized at the end of each chapter and are collectively contemplated in the discussion of the study. The thesis discussion also consists of an evaluation of the validity in the concepts of naive hope and complex hope as well as the theological concept of hopelessness constructed, in accordance with the findings of the analyses.