Christian Hope in Reflecting The Challenge of Climate Change

Abstract

"Hope as the shaping category of theological vocabulary has recently become a frequently used term. This in reacting to multiple crises and calamities of the world we have to face nowadays. Climate change has a prominent place among them. The UN Climate conference in Paris was the focal place for the culmination of climate action in a political and diplomatic arena, as well as the place for manifold contributions from civil society. Churches were part of these efforts. The word “hope” has become one of the most frequently used terms in different contributions to climate talks. It was marked as the key theological building element in phrasing the Christian response to the challenge of climate change. It is, therefore, worthwhile to look at what sense can hope, as the theological category, contribute to framing churches’ response to climate change. The challenge theology has to face in this respect is twofold. On the one hand there is the task to avoid linking hope with elements not having support in Christian resources and thus capitulate to secular and other influences. On the other side there is the challenge to really use the genuine richness which Christian insights offer on issues of climate change, it would be failure if we do not do so."

Paper delivered at the international consultation on "Resources and Best Practice Models for Ecotheology, Climate Justice and Food Security", held at the Academy of Volos, Demetriades Diocese of Church of Greece, 10-13 March, 2016