  We propose to reinterpret Einstein's field equations as a nonlinear
eigenvalue problem, where the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ plays the role of
the (smallest) eigenvalue. This interpretation is fully worked out for a simple
model of scalar gravity. The essential ingredient for the feasibility of this
approach is that the classical field equations be nonlinear, i.e., that the
gravitational field is itself a source of gravity. The cosmological
consequences and implications of this approach are developed and discussed.
