An Approach to Ecological Mission in and Through the Christian Community

An Approach to Ecological Mission in and through the Christian Community in Australia: Beyond Apathy to Committed Action Clive William Ayre A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Queensland in September 2008 School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics. 1 Declaration by Author This thesis is composed of my own original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. (There are none) I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work that I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. (There are none) I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the General Award Rules of The University of Queensland, immediately made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. 2 Statement of Contributions to Jointly Authored Works Contained in the Thesis No jointly-authored works. Statement of Contributions by Others to the Thesis as a Whole No contributions by others. Statement of Parts of the Thesis Submitted to Qualify for the Award of Another Degree None. Published Works by the Author Incorporated into the Thesis None. Additional Published Works by the Author Relevant to the Thesis but not Forming Part of it None. 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I gladly acknowledge the support and encouragement I have had in this project from Dr Neil Pembroke. From the inception of the research, and through many conversations, his friendship, questions, and probing have been most valuable. I am grateful also to Assoc. Prof. Richard Hutch, to members of my PhD group, to people both in the United Kingdom and in Australia whom I consulted during the course of the research, and to those many friends, old and new, with whom, in one way or another, I have shared the journey. My son Ian, whose own academic journey has led him in a related area of research, has always been an interested and informed conversation partner in the project; but I am grateful to my whole family for their interest, love, and support. Most of all, I want to acknowledge my wife Gail, who urged me strongly to undertake the project in the first place, and whose constant loving support means more than I could say. My eight grandchildren have contributed to the project simply by their presence and innocent expectation of a liveable environment in the future, and it is to them and their generation that this work is dedicated. Clive W Ayre 4 ABSTRACT The thesis sets out to consider the role of the Christian Church in the context of the emergent ecological crisis. The essential context for such a study is twofold. First, within the Australian Church there is clearly a dominant emphasis on an anthropocentric mission strategy, and consequently it will be argued that such a position is inadequate. Second, it will be argued that it can almost be taken as a “given” that the ecological or environmental crisis facing life on planet Earth is immediate and critical, and covers a range of well-documented categories – global warming, extreme weather events, degradation of the soil, and other factors. The loss of bio- diversity is gathering pace, while the threat to iconic features such as the Great Barrier Reef is very real. Even just from a pragmatic or humanitarian point of view, it seems important for the Christian Church to be part of a global response. From that background the thesis proceeds in three essential stages. The first issue is the identification of a sound ecological theology, or ecotheology. From the background of a large and increasing volume of literature, a range of both human-centred and eco-friendly theological positions is considered, concluding with an argument in favour of theistic biocentrism, but acknowledging that a responsible Christian environmental response may emerge from other theological positions. Thus, the thesis proposes that in addition to the scientific evidence, there is a compelling theological argument for Christian action in caring for the environment as God’s creation, and this represents a clear rationale for eco-mission. In the second part, the issue that is considered is the range of existing theologies of mission. This literature has tended to be strongly anthropocentric and very weak in the ecological area; however, there is an increasing volume of literature demonstrating a shift in emphasis towards an enhanced awareness of an ecological dimension, and in identifying that trend the thesis seeks 5 to develop an eco-mission theology. However, there is still a perception in many congregations and denominations that ecology is not really part of the Church’s agenda. While practical action guidance models are not common, this thesis aims to challenge such a perception, and to change the culture of apathy and non-involvement in building on a foundation of ecotheology and a theology of eco-mission. Third, the thesis then explores the range and extent of Christian eco-mission, beginning with a study of how that is practised in England, and continuing with a comparative study of emerging eco-mission activity in Australia. Thus, it addresses the fundamental question as to why Christian denominations (and, by implication, local congregations) are not more actively involved in ecological mission, and explore possibilities for that position to be changed. The thesis is set within a practical theology paradigm, and employs a qualitative methodology. This involves a series of interviews supplemented by written comments and personal observations, from which dominant themes will be drawn and analysed. Thus the thesis is designed to help the Christian community to understand the seriousness of the situation as well as the biblical and theological rationale for appropriate action in “the greening of mission” and the establishment of an Australian eco-church model. In grasping the ecological aspects of its divine charter in caring for God’s creation, the Church may operate with greater confidence alongside other concerned people and groups in the community. 6 Keywords Ecotheology; eco-mission; ecology; environment; biocentrism, anthropocentrism; theocentrism; stewardship Australian and new Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) 220405 Religion and Society 40%, 220401 Christian Studies 60%. 7 CONTENTS Chapter 1. Introduction 1. Background 10 2. Research Problem and Hypothesis 12 3. Aims and Objectives 15 4. Assumptions 16 5. Methodology 17 6. Outline of Thesis 19 7. Definitions 22 8. Delimitations of Scope 26 9. Conclusion 27 Chapter 2. Methodology 1. Introduction 29 2. Hermeneutics 29 3. A Practical Theology Model 34 4. Research Methodology 39 5. Ethical Considerations 53 6. Conclusion 53 Chapter 3. The Scope of the Crisis 1. Introduction 55 2. The Global Ecology 56 3. More than Ecology is Involved 64 4. Conclusion 68 Chapter 4. Human-centred Approaches to Ecotheology 1. Introduction: the Ambiguity of Ecotheology 69 2. Dominion or Domination? 70 3. Nature Disenchanted 75 4. Econocentric Approach 77 5. Anthropocentrism 79 6. Conclusion 83 Chapter 5. Eco-friendly Approaches to Ecotheology 1. Introduction 84 2. Biocentrism 84 3. Theocentrism 92 4. Conclusion 108 Chapter 6. Ecological Responses 1. Introduction 110 2. Dominion 111 3. Stewardship 111 4. Partnership 118 5. Covenant 119 8 6. Sacrament 121 7. Analysis: a Composite Model 122 8. Conclusion 123 Chapter 7. Towards an Eco-mission Theology 1. Introduction 125 2. Definitions 125 3. The First Mission: “Saving Souls” 126 4. The Second Mission: the Whole Human Being 128 5. The Third Mission: the Whole Earth 133 6. An Eco-mission Theology 138 7. Conclusion 143 Chapter 8. Eco-Mission in Britain 1. Introduction 145 2. The Role of Peak Organisations 147 3. The Role of Denominational Hierarchies 153 4. Eco-mission Programs in British Churches 156 5. EcoCongregation and Eco Awards 169 6. Blocks to Eco-mission in the British Context 172 7. Conclusion 173 Chapter 9. Eco-Mission in Australia 1. Introduction 175 2. International and Ecumenical Leadership 177 3. National Responses in Australia 180 4. State-level and Regional Eco-mission 184 5. The Development of Networks 187 6. Eco-mission at Congregational Level 188 7. Eco-mission Inhibitors in Australia 203 8. An Ecumenical Approach 209 9. Role of Eco Schools 210 10. The Possibilities of International Dialogue 211 11. Structural Issues 213 12. Conclusion 216 Chapter 10. Conclusion 1. Introduction 217 2. Theological Implications 218 3. Implications for Theory and Ecclesial Practice 219 4. An Eco-Church Model for Australia? 222 5. Limitations 225 6. Further Research 226 7. Concluding Note 228 9 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background One afternoon in 1988 our son indicated to us that his High School had decided to nominate him for the Lions Youth of the Year competition. Among other things, that involved the preparation and delivery of a speech on a subject of his choosing. So having been inspired by his geography teacher, our son chose to speak about threats to the environment; it was a speech we were to hear a number of times as he proceeded through stages of the competition.

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