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Communicating Environmental Values in the Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in Korea

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Communicating Environmental Values in the Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in Korea Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2011 Toward an Eco-stewardship Ministry: Communicating Environmental Values in the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Korea Young Seok Cha Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Cha, Young Seok, "Toward an Eco-stewardship Ministry: Communicating Environmental Values in the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Korea" (2011). Dissertation Projects DMin. 454. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/454 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT TOWARD AN ECO-STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY: COMMUNICATING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN THE SEVENTH- DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN KOREA by Young Seok Cha Adviser: Jeanette Bryson ( \ ( ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: TOWARD AN ECO-STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY: COMMUNICATING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN KOREA Name of Researcher: Young Seok Cha Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jeanette Bryson, Ph.D. Date completed: February 2011 Purpose The purpose of this project is to develop a theoretical and practical framework for implementing a ministry of ecological stewardship for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Korea and ultimately to cultivate an environmental consciousness among Adventists. In order to identify the dynamic relationships of factors involved in eco-stewardship ministry, the study first examined the environmental consciousness and practice of the pastors and members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Korea. Then it focused on investigating the factors that would possibly affect one’s responsible environmental behavior and the implementation effectiveness of eco-stewardship ministry. I Method This study used a survey design with an instrument developed to identify relationships among demographic data, eco-theology, eco-knowledge, eco-awareness, and eco-behavior. Focus group interviews were conducted to examine the sentiment of Adventist pastors and members with regard to implementing an eco-stewardship ministry. Results Eco-theology and eco-knowledge were not significantly related with eco-behavior. However, eco-awareness was shown to have a positive relationship with responsible eco- behavior. The factors that were identified to be positively related with eco-awareness were eco-theology, eco-knowledge, age, level of education, and the location of residence. Pastors were more aware of the necessity of an eco-stewardship ministry and had more of a sense of responsibility for the environmental problems than their church members. Both pastors and members generally believed that Adventism does have a relatively positive influence on their practice of eco-sustainable behavior, and that many Adventists teachings are related to environmental care. Conclusion The findings of this study show that eco-stewardship ministry needs to focus on increasing the level of environmental awareness, rather than controlling the environmental behavior itself. While eco-awareness is mainly influenced by one’s knowledge or experiential information, education is a recommended approach to the ministry of creating an awareness of the importance of eco-stewardship, based on the environmentally related messages of the Adventist church. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary TOWARD AN ECO-STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY: COMMUNICATING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN KOREA A Project Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Young Seok Cha February 2011 \ © Copyright by Young Seok Cha 2011 All Rights Reserved TOWARD AN ECO-STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY: COMMUNICATING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN KOREA A project dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Young Seok Cha APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Adviser, Jeanette Bryson S-tewCs •ftfrt5^ 7 ______ Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Denis Fortin At April <&>//________ Date approved V Dedicated to My Dear Family and Companion in Ministry in TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES..........................................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS........................................................,...................................ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....... .................................................... xi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 Personal History................................................................................................1 Purpose ............................................ 3 Statement of the Problem................................................................................. 3 Justification for the Project ................................. 4 Expectations for the Project.............................................................................5 Delimitations.....................................................................................................5 Limitations............................................................ 5 Definition of Terms .......................................................................................... 6 Description of Project Process........................................ 9 II. THEOLOGICAL BASIS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY................10 Introduction..................................................................................................... 10 Creation as a Basis for Eco-stewardship.......................................... 12 God’s Relationship with His Creation ..................................................... 12 The Purpose of Creation ..................... 13 God’s Attributes Reflected in His Relationship.................................14 , The Form of God’s Relationship with His Creatures .......................15 The Created World in Relation to God .................................................... 16 Reflect God’s Glory................................................. 16 Carry on God’s Goodness...................................................................17 Object of God’s Love and Care ............... 18 The Created World in Relation to Humans ..... .......................... <...........19 Commonality between Humans and Nonhumans ............................. 20 Common Destiny of Humans and Nonhumans ................................ 20 Interdependence between Humans and the Natural World...............21 iv The Role of Humans in the World of Creation ......................................23 Image and Likeness of God...............................................................23 Dominion over Creation....................................................................25 Represent God as Stewards................................................................27 Sabbath as a Basis for Environmental Conservation ................................... 28 Environmental Sustaining Ministry of God ...........................................30 Sabbath Day for the Restoration of Relationships ........ ........................ 31 Sabbath Year for the Restoration of the Land ........................................ 32 Land Care and Responsibility to God.... ............ ............................. 33 Land Care and Responsibility to the Underprivileged .................... 34 The Ultimate Sustainer of Land ....................................................... 35 Jubilee for the Restoration of Social Order ............................................ 36 Land as a Basis for Covenant Relationship ...................................... 37 Land and Intra/Intergenerational Equity............................................38 Redemption as a Basis for Church Ministry to Creation ................. 40 Ecological Dimension of Redemptive History ............................ ..........43 Isaiah’s Restored World ................................................................... 43 Noah’s Covenant and the Earth ............................................. ...........44 God’s Covenant Promise to Abraham .............................................. 45 Sinai Covenant with the Israelites ....................................................45 Ecological Dimension of Salvation ......... ..............................................46 Salvation Expected by All Creatures................................................46 Reconciliation Extended to All Creatures.................. ...................... 47 Ecological Dimension of Eschatology ............... ....................................49 Summary.............................................................................. 52 III. REVIEW OF LITERATURE......................................................................:.....54 Introduction..................................................................................................... 54 Development of Environmental
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