RSS 1.0Ecotheology Climate Justice and Food Security
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This Globethics collection gathers contributions, resources and perspectives on eco-theology, climate justice, and food security from Christian, Churches, and/or other religious traditions. It also contains the Global Survey on Ecotheology, Climate Justice and Food Security in Theological Education and Christian Leadership Development, the presentations and report of the follow up consultation on the same subject held at the Academy of Volos, Demetriades Diocese of Church of Greece, 10-13 March, 2016.
Recent Submissions
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Öko-theologische Ansätze zur Überwindung des 'herrschaftsbezogenen Anthropozentrismus' in der ökumenischen Bewegung : ein erster kurzer ÜberblickThe essay is providing an account of beginnings of eco-theological reflexions within the global ecumenical movement, mainly related to selected two out of several periods, mainly an early period of the 1960ies and a last period after the first decade of this century. It describes how the ecumenical discourse has reacted to major challenges presented by an essay from Lynn White from late sixties which was accusing Christianity to be the main culprit of environmental destruction. The essay culminates in identifying five major types of eco-theological discourses in the past two decades and identifies four major challenges at the end in which ecotheological work needs to move forward.
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Öko-theologische Ansätze zur Überwindung des despotischen Anthropozentrismus in der ökumenischen BewegungThe essay is providing an account of beginnings of eco-theological reflexions within the global ecumenical movement, mainly related to selected two out of several periods, mainly an early period of the 1960ies and a last period after the first decade of this century. It describes how the ecumenical discourse has reacted to a major challenges presented by an essay from Lynn White from late 60is which was accusing Christianity to be the main culprit of environmental destruction. The essay culminates in identifying five major types of eco-theological discourses in the past two decades and identifies four major challenges at the end in which eco-theological work needs to move forward.
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Al-Ḥamdu li’llāhi Rabbi’l-ʿĀlamīn ‘Praise to God, Lord of the Worlds’ : an introduction to Qur’anic ecology and resonances with Laudato Si’An Introduction to Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’ presents Qur’an-based theological and ethical principles that are applicable to integral ecology. This study presents clear and strong Qur’anic guidelines that can be referred to by Muslims in addressing the ethical, ecological and environmental issues faced today. The study relates the central encyclical idea of integral ecology to several Islamic concepts, particularly the interconnected unity of all creation, the innate nature of God and humankind, and theQur’anic principles of mercy, balance, justice, and moderation. Key Muslim faith-based critiques of the human actions that have led to the current global predicament are also discussed. These critiques accord with aspects of Catholic social teaching. This study unpacks the Qur’anic resonances with the foundational themes presented in the preliminary section of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home published in 2015. It demonstrates that significant common ground exists betweenQur’anic and encyclical perspectives with regard to these themes, including perceptions of the natural world as a precious part of God’s creation; the interrelatedness of all creation; the understanding of humankind as the being in whom earth and spirit are conjoined; the need for divine guidance; and the need for people to manifest ethical care towards other humans, all living creatures and the earth itself. Conceptual overlaps such as these providea strong foundation for Catholic-Muslim interfaith partnerships, as we seek to care for our common home.
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Every part of creation matters : a discussion paperThe text summarizes work of the thematic group on Economic and Ecological Justice and Sustainable Future of the Conference of European Churches. The group consists of theologians, experts in ecological and political science, as well as activists from churches across the continent. Caring for God’s creation is an integral part of the calling of the churches. In this publication the Conference of European Churches is asking how this can be done? The book offers a summary of studies and discussions among theologians from churches of different confessional families. A first theological section underlies key aspects of several theological traditions. In a second section, we learn about the European Green Deal aiming to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy with no net greenhouse gases emissions by 2050. The text supports the main aim of the Green Deal, however, raises concerns related to some of its principal parts.
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Green Allies: Speculative Realism, Evangelical Christianity, and Political PluralismThis essay addresses the question of how to build political coalitions to address global warming. For speculative realists such as Levi Bryant, responding to climate change demands materialist ontologies that recognize the efficacy of things themselves, e.g. fossil fuels. And yet, I argue, Bryant does not sufficiently address the political assignment of building political coalitions with people who endorse different ontologies. To illuminate this possibility, I show how the American evangelical David Gushee arrives at similar conclusions by a different route. The essay encourages speculative realists to fold modesty into their political thinking for the sake of building coalitions with theists about matters of common concern.
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Eco-Glossolalia: Emerging Twenty-First Century Pentecostal and Charismatic EcotheologyAbstractThis study sets out first to chart developments in an emerging and growing body of research in the field of Pentecostal and Charismatic Ecotheology. This literature is grouped within three main trajectories characterized as Pentecostal and Charismatic Social Justice Theology, Pentecostal and Charismatic Spirit/Creation Theology, and distinctively Pentecostal and Charismatic Ecotheology. Second, this study experiments with a possible pneumatological metaphor that can remedy the growing need for Pentecostal scholarship in the area of ecotheology: the Spirit baptized creation.
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Earthkeeping in the CityAbstractThe practice of brownfield rehabilitation for community use by a church in a context of urban poverty in Glasgow, Scotland is explored through action research to assess its capacity for practical and spiritual grassroots empowerment within the Pentecostal/charismatic tradition. The schema offered is one way of modelling a socially and environmentally engaged learning and empowerment cycle oriented towards creation care and the land, evidencing potential as (1) a missional approach with rich scope for connecting church, community and scripture in new ways, (2) a way of enabling young people in urban contexts to overcome nature-deficit disorder, (3) a tool for political empowerment or “avant-gardening” (Lam-bourne-Wilson), (4) insurgent planning from the margins (Sandercock), and (5) an example of Pentecostal conscientisation broadly affirming of Bridges Johns’ approach, but modulated contextually to serve the need for a Pentecostal/charismatic eco-theology.
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Kairos for Creation : Confessing Hope for the EarthThe international and ecumenical conference on eco-theology, ethics of sustainability and eco-friendly churches took place in June 2019 in Wuppertal/Germany and was organized jointly by Bread for the World, the Protestant Association of Churches and Mission (EMW), the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), United Evangelical Mission (UEM) and the World Council of Churches (WCC). It was a conference with lasting impressions, enriching and encouraging experiences of sharing and a remarkable outcome in content: 51 participants from over 22 different countries, men and women from different cultural, denominational and religious backgrounds, theologians, eco-activists, scientists and representatives of Faith Based Organizations gathered to share their insights, their experiences, their convictions, their doubts, their joy and their sorrows about fundamental eco-theological questions which are becoming more and more important and crucial for the continuation of life in our world, which is God’s creation. At the end of the conference the participants adopted the “Wuppertal Call: Kairos for creation – Confessing Hope for the Earth” which recommends to the World Council of Churches (WCC) to declare a “Decade for the Healing of Creation”.
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Climate Justice CharterThe progressive deterioration of the environment is verified day after day on a global scale. Even though it is not an obvious sudden massive catastrophe, it should be taken seriously. Based on this reflection, members of the Chêne Parish worked together to produce a Climate Justice Charter and Statement, in the context of theme n°20 of the Geneva Protestant Church: “‘Fill the earth and subdue it’. What about when this domination threatens Earth?” The latest news from our planet is threatening: climate change, pollution, forest loss, species extinctions… All these words are frightening and there is no sign of improvement. Within only 60 years, our planet warmed 0.6°C because of the effect of greenhouse gases generated by human activities in too large quantities. The contrast in precipitation is increasing between wet and dry regions and seasons. By 2025, two-thirds of the world population could be under water stress conditions. Biodiversity loss is happening so fast experts fear a new extinction crisis. Simple logic leads to the conclusion that humanity has to react, for its own survival. But at the scale of a human being, it is less obvious. When I drive my car, I cannot observe the effects of the pollution I am producing. Therefore, in order to choose to act in a way that preserves the environment, one first needs to access the necessary information. But this is not enough. Once informed, one needs a good reason to take action. Organizing one’s daily life in order to preserve the environment implies self-questioning, changing habits, sacrificing some comfort. In one word, it is an effort. Then, what justifies such an effort? The personal choice to act in order to preserve our environment is often made by simple altruism. This choice is based on our love for other human beings. We also need to understand the consequences of our actions and figure out how changing our behaviour will impact others’ lives. Our moral values, our ethical reflections and our religious beliefs are the deep core of these choices. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15.12 NRSV) This Charter shows the moral and religious values that can help us react regarding the current environmental crisis. By “Climate Justice Charter”, we mean commitments that should be undertaken by each of us in order to address climate change problems. Anybody can realise these actions in their daily life, in order to contribute to the preservation of the Biosphere balance. It is also important to stand as an institution, because a parish community can have a significant impact at the civil society level. As a Charter, this small book proposes a framework broader than the simple individual responsibility and as a tool it should empower and transcend the ideas of effort and sacrifice in order to consider the respect of the shared house, in a prophetic fulfilment of the being.
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Creator, Creation, and Church"Critical issues concerning the environment attract increasing attention. Modern technologies have affected all life and the environment, creating new situations that require consideration. Resultant moral deliberation, however, often remains restricted to human life. Important questions need to be asked. Are humans a part of the environment, or only stewards of it? Are humans merely "in" nature, or are they also "of' nature? What does it mean to "preserve" the environment?"
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The Spirit in Creation and Environmental Stewardship"The driving motive of this paper is an attempt to humbly respond toward certain concerns and challenges that stir my mind as a Pentecostal. Initially it began when Wonsuk Ma, in his lecture, expressed his concern regarding the ignorance of Pentecostals toward environmental issues. He stated, “There has been very little attention given by the Pentecostals to environmental issues, or how to care for God’s creation.”1 He believes that traditionally Pentecostals have ignored these aspects."
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Manifesto for an Ecological Reformation of Christianity"Gathering at the Academy of Volos, Demetriades Diocese of Church of Greece, as church representatives from different traditions and all continents during the international conference on Eco-Theology, Climate Justice and Food Security (10-13 March 2016)3, we are convinced that an ecological reformation of Christianity (in all its traditions) is possible, but can remain authentic only if it stays in the spirit and is expressed in the form of a humble prayer: Veni, Creator Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit, renew your whole creation!"
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Beautiful interrelation with nature"A powerful connection exists between natural beauty and the way in which human beings interact with the natural environment. For as we interact with nature, we not only perceive her beauty, but we must live our lives in and amongst it. Such interaction, says environmental philosopher, Holmes Rolston, is the substance of environmental aesthetics: “the beauty of life in dialectic with its environment, the landscape as a place of . . . satisfying adapted fit.”1 Rolston emphasizes ecological science, but ecology2 intertwines with the arts because art also fits humanity into an environment, such as through architecture and landscape painting. An ecological-artistic approach to environment relates to Paul Tillich’s theological approach: for him a human worldview expresses itself symbolically in relation to an environment, revealing something about both the world and humankind in their encounter. As a result of this encounter, the environment achieves a theological significance"
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Ökotheologie und ihre pneumatologischen Voraussetzungen [Eco Theology and its pneumatological conditions]"Angesichts der ökologischen Krise ist die christliche Theologie herausge-fordert. Dies ist vor allem deshalb der Fall, weil dem Christentum maßgeblich Schuld an der Zerstörung der Schöpfung zugeschrieben wird. Für das christliche Verständnis der Schöpfung und des angemessenen Umgangs mit ihr ist die Bestimmung des Verhältnisses von Gott und Welt entscheidend. Im vorliegenden Aufsatz werden die „panentheistischen“ Verhältnisbestimmungen von Jürgen Moltmann und Sallie McFague herangezogen. Denn Moltmann wie McFague verstehen ihr Ansätze als Lösungsmöglichkeiten gegen die ökologische Krise. Beide vertreten jeweils eine eigene pneumatologisch ausgerichtete Ökotheologie, die dargestellt und kritisch untersucht wird."
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Considerações a respeito de uma leitura ecológica dos relatos da Criação [Considerations regarding an ecological reading of the Creation narratives]"Esta reflexão se propõe a tecer algumas considerações a respeito da busca de uma hermenêutica que abarque a questão ecológica na leitura bíblica atual. Levando em conta que o tema da ecologia é marcante nos debates atuais, a teologia cristã teve que responder por sua contribuição para as causas da crise da relação ser humano-natureza, por um lado, e, ao mesmo tempo, repensar seus dogmas dentro da perspectiva da crise ecológica. E na leitura bíblica, seja “popular” e/ou acadêmica, há a discussão sobre como encontrar e resgatar características da fé bíblica que ressaltam uma relação mais harmoniosa entre as criaturas humanas e a criação como um todo" ["This reflection suggests some considerations about the search for a hermeneutics that considers the ecological issue in the Biblical reading today. Considering that the theme of ecology is remarkable in the current debates, the Christian theology had to answer for its contribution to the causes of the human crisis of relation with nature, and also reconsider its dogmas from the perspective of ecological crisis. In reading the Bible, whether “popular” or academic, there is debate about how to find and ransom the characteristics of biblical faith that show out a more harmonious relationship between human beings and creation as a whole"]
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Por uma perspectiva ecoteológica [Toward an eco-theological perspective]"Considerando a fome, a situação de subnutrição de cerca de 1 bilhão de pessoas no mundo, esta reflexão se propõe a discutir as ações a respeito do combate à fome e ao fortalecimento da segurança e da soberania alimentar. Os projetos e a tradição de valorização da agricultura de base agroecológica, como é o caso do Centro de Apoio ao Pequeno Agricultor (CAPA) tem contribuído decisivamente tanto para o fortalecimento da soberania e segurança alimentar quanto para a recuperação e ressignificação das formas de cultivos agrícolas tradicionais, da cultura camponesa. Essa reflexão precisa interpelar a teologia a pensar em uma relação mais saudável entre ser humano, agricultor e consumidor, e natureza" ["Considering the famine, the situation of malnutrition of about 1 billion people worldwide, this discussion aims to discuss the actions regarding the fight against hunger and strengthening security and food sovereignty. The projects and the tradition of valuing agriculture agroecological base, such as the CAPA (Centro de Apoio ao Pequeno Agricultor) has contributed decisively both to strengthen the sovereignty and food security and for the restoration and reframing of the forms of traditional crops, of peasant culture. This reflection needs to be challenged theology to think of a healthier relationship between humans, between farmers and consumers, and nature"]
