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Ecotheology: an Opportunity for Transformed Evangelical Environmental Vision Annalise Chesen

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Ecotheology: an Opportunity for Transformed Evangelical Environmental Vision Annalise Chesen Ecotheology: An Opportunity for Transformed Evangelical Environmental Vision Annalise Chesen Evangelical Christians have been criticized for embracing theologies that may promote a lack of environmental responsibility. I would like to make a case for a re-ordered imagination of evangelical ethic and engagement with the earth that expands to a recognition of the intimate link between justice, environmentalism, and the ministry of reconciliation given by Christ. Environmental engagement is an integral aspect of the Christian pursuit of justice because individual choices deeply afect others and matter to God as an opportunity to practice reconciliation. On September 21, 2019, an estimated four million people destruction caused by evangelical attitudes is a danger to participated in a global climate strike demanding policy Christian witness and a shallow response to God’s call for change from legislators worldwide. Te environmentalism renewed relationships with each other and with the earth. tide is turning in many ways, with scores of individuals tak- I would like to make a case for a re-ordered imagination of ing action to live more sustainably and nation-states begin- evangelical ethic and engagement with the earth that ex- ning to change environmental policies. Te United Nations pands to a recognition of the intimate link between justice, Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Climate Change environmentalism, and the ministry of reconciliation given have been working since 2014 to assist in creating national by Christ. climate action plans. Te UN Development Programme Te state of the planet is reaching new lows. Current Global Outlook Report of 2019, states that “overall this environmental issues range from pollution, wildfres, report fnds many reasons for optimism, but much work droughts, fooding, hurricanes, rising sea-levels, melting remains. It’s clear that business as usual simply isn’t good permafrost due to climate change, and immense loss of enough anymore” (Doyle 5). According to the Pew Research biodiversity. According to the recent UN Outlook report, Center, citizens in countries with high carbon emissions per the last four years were the warmest on record, with July capita appear to be less concerned with issues and impact 2019 reaching the highest temperatures ever documented of climate change. Tis category includes the US, Canada, (Doyle 6). Te report also clearly demonstrates the growing and Australia. Polarization characterizes America’s public governmental commitment to battling climate change pres- opinion on environmental issues (Wike). Everyone seems to ent in most countries. A key player in this development has be talking about the environment, but regardless of public been the Paris Agreement, drafed in 2015. opinion, Americans don’t seem to be slowing down their Te Paris Agreement, a UN climate change preven- consumption rates. tion initiative signed by 195 nations, aims to “stabilize Lyn White, in his infamous article, “Te Historic Roots greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level of the Environmental Crisis,” targets Christianity as the that will prevent dangerous human interference with the culprit to blame for the current ecological and consumption climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems crisis. Tough there is discussion of stewardship theol- to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development” ogy in Evangelical Christian spheres of America, there (Doyle). It seeks to maintain transparency and aid in assist- still seems to exist attitudes of resistance against environ- ing developing countries deal with the impacts of climate mental action. In some churches across America there is change. During a speech on June 1, 2017, President Trump silence concerning the issue, perhaps because of the highly withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement. politicized nature of the topic. In other churches, White’s President Trump argued in a speech following this deci- claim is perpetuated by teachings that inadvertently sustain sion that “Te Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest habits of consumerism. Indiference towards environmental example of Washington entering into an agreement that 4 [Back to Table of Contents} wheaton writing 2019-2020 jameson first year writing: fall 2019 disadvantages Te United States for the exclusive beneft of circles a variance of views concerning nature and theol- other countries. Te Paris Accord is very unfair at the high- ogy exist. Christian teachers reference the glory of God est level…” (Shear). in creation, and the “general revelation” of God’s charac- Te data suggests however, that the US is one of the ter through what He has made. Te beauty and immense primary leaders in pollution. Regardless of the Paris complexity of creation is spoken of, ofen in arguments Agreement, fairness doesn’t seem to be in order here. pertaining God’s existence. However, many theologies are Contributions to the environmental crisis are not evenly not fully articulated, creating a vague and ofen shallow distributed between nations. According to the International impression that lacks the full depth of richness available Energy Association, afer three years of decline, the United from Scripture. Tere is ofen a disconnect between word States upped energy demand by 3.7% in 2018. Global CO2 and action. Joseph Sittler (1904-1987), a professor of theol- emissions from fuel combustion have been on the rise since ogy at the University of Chicago, was an avid believer in an 2017, reaching 32.8 billion tons in 2018 (IEA). Following integrated theology of the earth. He claimed that there is China, America is the second largest cumulative polluter a split between the idea of grace and perceptions of nature of the environment. Te 2019 data will be released early in Christian Western thought. In an essay concerning this November of this year. While climate action has accelerat- topic, Sittler argues that the scope of our idea of grace has ed, there is still an “unprecedented transformation needed narrowed to exclude the concept of physical matter. Tis to limit impacts of climate change” (Doyle). Te choices provides the opportunity to develop mindsets that abuse made by Americans, and other developed countries, greatly nature, because it is seen as existing outside of the region of impact the rest of the planet, and in turn, marginalized soul and spirit. He claims that the Incarnation and work of people. reconciliation through Christ is a promise of grace for all Te Christian call to surrender our lives for others of nature, that nothing can be called “common or unclean” and to live for justice and peace directly contradicts the (Sittler 43). He clearly and compellingly confronts this nar- “America frst” attitude demonstrated by President Trump. row view of redemption and gifs the reader with a theolog- Psalm 37:8-9 says, “Refrain from anger and turn from ical vision that understands God’s covenant with the earth wrath; do not fret- it only leads to evil. For those who are itself as christological obediences before all else. Following evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD the story of Noah in Genesis, God makes a covenant not will inherit the land” (ESV). Included in God’s plan for only with mankind, but with the earth itself: redemption is a vision for restored creation, where we will And God said, “this is the sign of the covenant I am dwell with God forever. Te Bible has a lot to say about cre- making between me and you and every living creature ation and about the land itself. It also informs a Christian with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have attitude towards possessions and resources that is rooted set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of in humility, generosity, and hope. An article by Daniel the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:12- Salas provides an alternative to White’s claim, exploring 13, NIV). how ecotheology, which is the study of the integration of Sittler reminds us that all creation was made through Jesus, religion and nature, can be a valuable addition to wider and that He has promised to redeem it. environmental discourse because of its compelling argu- Te disembodied view of grace articulated by Sittler ments for change. Salas notes that, while confronting envi- extends to teaching in the church that has received critique ronmental degradation and issues of environmental justice from scholars. A.J. Swoboda critiques the prosperity theolo- from a religious perspective might not be able to solve the gies that came into focus at the beginning of the twenty- myriad of problems entirely, Christianity has capacity to frst century, aiding in attitudes of greed and consumerism. create methods for change that are universal. According to Prosperity teaching holds that fnancial wealth and physi- Salas, secular thinking that seeks to swear of religion in cal wellness are rewards of faith from God, emphasiz- hopes of modernization, can be rigid and unable to change ing personal happiness. Swaboda argues that even subtle the culture of consumption currently predominant. It is embracement of prosperity teachings create thinking which Christianity that enables the reimagination of environmen- proceeds environmentally damaging lifestyles for evangeli- talism that can lead to changed behavior (Salas). cals. A worldview that believes God grants prosperity and Tough there is great potential for Christianity to happiness to those who have faith and views physical things transform environmental ethic, Christian attitudes towards as separate from the spiritual will naturally produce passiv- nature can ofen be ambivalent. In American evangelical ity to environmental issues. 5 [Back to Table of Contents} wheaton writing 2019-2020 jameson first year writing: fall 2019 Andrew Village conducted a series of surveys among management over relationship. It also extends the values conservative Protestant Christians in the UK that afrms of the corporate world of production and efciency, which Swaboda’s claim.
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