Essay Sample on Theology and the Environment

Introduction

The environment, no matter what opinion people have or what standpoint they have chosen, is one of the most important and crucial components of the world. The environment forms a livable habitat. Therefore, it should be an innate duty to preserve, conserve and utilize it, with the many resources it has incorporated in its existence. Sustainability of the environment goes hand in hand with societal sustenance. Hence, destruction or protection of the environment causes the same impact on social functioning. Through the concept of eco-theology, scientific principles such as philosophical ideologies have a direct influence on how theological discourses shape the environment.

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Religion, Theology, and Environment

Religion believes a Supreme Being made the heavens and the Earth in the beginning, hence the environment is part of his creation. Human beings are part of creation, and this relationship creates the need to take care of the environment as it takes care of human beings and all living organisms (ARC, 2014). Furthermore, science and scientific principles in various disciplines have influenced theology to transform it into a progressive and modern ideology in religion. Environmental protection represents a merging point between science and religion.

Theology explains the environment and its existence using the three physio-theological discourses which are theological explanations of the world and various phenomena that have occurred through history. A perspective that is concerned with 'primitive chaos and creation of the world', 'the general deluge, its causes and effects' and 'the dissolution of the world and future conflagration.' These discourses are theological ideas concerned with the environment and how it has been shaped since creation to how it is presently (Ray, 2011). Explanation of these discourses shows how religion describes how the world was created by God, as well as the human race who brought about chaos. These actions did not motivate their creator. In turn it made God flood the world leaving a few who were deserving and righteous. The third discourse shows how the world and human beings will be rewarded or punished, and the world destroyed in a fire where the good people will be eternally rewarded (Ray, 2011).

Philosophical science analyzes these discourses and questions where theology was challenged and improves its perspective. Such distinction between faith and philosophy depicts philosophy as more objective and helps in enhancing theology objectivity. Thus, enabling theology to forge a united front that speaks of the structure of a being, where the being itself has an ultimate concern for His creation, and hence this is projected to the human race who are responsible directly (Van Hook, 1977). Therefore, philosophical influence on theology is the explanation of how a Supreme Being created a mental attitude to guard and protect what is created which is environmental concern and care. The Supreme Being is responsible for the environment as the creator. If provoked by human disobedience, he might destroy the world. Hence, the environment is in direct influence between the theological doctrines, the deities, and the human race. It is the one that is directly influenced.

Philosophy also comes with a rational sense and rigor with the ability to think critically and logically about religious and theological ideologies. When it comes to environmental issues, philosophy and theology unite and create very prominent approaches to understanding and assessing intellectual claims of religion which will be a basis or fundamental guidelines for the environmental concerns and challenges. Religious perspectives, socio-cultural beliefs, and practices have a theological sense as well as the impact on the environment. Philosophy uses the actions from religious inferences to create a wide range of skills, ideas, and procedures which have historical, textual, linguistic, sociological and critical approaches. Take the case of how religious practices involved praying for rain and having traditional rainmakers bring rain or predict rainy seasons. Philosophy provides a platform where the logic behind responsiveness of the environment and God's fulfillment of prayers is attained (Oxford Editors, 2016). Science also manifests the truth and validity of theological ideologies. In the above example, science explains how rain works and how people were able to predict rain patterns. It analyzes how religious ideals with regards to the environment occur with factual explanations. The analysis helps in dealing with environmental challenges such as droughts and floods.

Environmental challenges on Earth occur as a result of different people with different belief interacting in the same natural environment. The society depends on the environment for life, for food, air, water and natural resources and these elements and environmental products need to be managed. Problems come in when people of different theological ideologies meet on common ground and try to enact a management process or methodology. Disagreements arise as a result of the different values and beliefs that relate to nature itself. Beliefs in the approach to environmental challenges are developed and distinguished on what is termed as a moral basis when dealing with the environment. Some people believe how they handle their environment is the best way and other people would see this as exploiting and destroying the environment. The lack of uniformity is what strains the environment and creates challenges.

Theologically speaking, it is from one's innate self, and sense of being that will judge in the most sustainable manner of conserving the environment. The content of a person's heart, mind, and spirit which determines the person's attitude and actions, is the substance and faith required to handle the environment (ARC, 2014). Christianity has its unique set of values and beliefs that influence how a Christian thinks and acts. Christianity has, therefore, established ethical systems from scriptures and teachings from the Bible. Christians believe in God's creation of the heavens and earth as documented in Genesis 1:1-25. Nature and tentatively the environment being God's product and everything in it warrants for its protection through their actions

The three principles depict environmental ethics which are guided by God creating everything, which warrants protection and appreciation of His work through the principle of creation value. Another principle is the Sustained Order principle. The principle implies that God created and sustains all elements in a certain order. Following is the principle of universal corruption and redemption states that everything in the created world and universe is subject to corruption by sin and ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ called (ARC, 2014). There is also the Principle of universal corruption and redemption shows how Christianity perceives nature and their belief in its protection as a way of serving God.

Christians believe that the Earth is a God-given gift. This is a utilitarian earth view that shows how they have taken responsibility for the environment through religion. According to them, exploitation of the environment in search of material possession is the ultimate demise of humanity. Christians believe they are the environmentalists and "earth keepers" to God's creation. According to DeWitt & Nash, (2009), this destruction is a cause of the head Samaritan's syndrome. A case caused by the numerous environmental hazards caused by the current technological era.

Conclusion

Religion is directly in touch with the conservation of the environment. The environment, its protection, and conservation are believed to a sacred task assigned by the Supreme Being. Both religion and science support and enforce each other in environmental protection and prediction of changing patterns as a means of sustaining life forms. The environment has such power since it is God's creation. The same power that is depicted in science. However, scientific approaches such as theological ideologies are reinforced and assimilated in a manner that facilitates management of modern environmental challenges.

References

ARC. (2014, November 14). What the Bible says about the environment. Retrieved from Apologetics Resource Center: https://arcapologetics.org/culture/subdue-earth-bible-says-environment/
DeWitt, C. & Nash, R. (2009, July 28). Christians and the environment: How should Christians think about the environment? Retrieved from CRI: http://www.equip.org/article/christians-and-the-environment-how-should-christians-think-about-the-environment/
Oxford Editors. (2016). Philosophy and theology. Retrieved from University of Oxford: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses-listing/philosophy-and-theology?wssl=1
Ray, J. (2011, December). Three physico-theological discourses. Retrieved from Archive: https://archive.org/details/threephysicotheo00rayj
Van Hook, J. (1977, March 1). Tillich on the relation between philosophy and theology. Retrieved from Oxford Academic: https://academic.oup.com/jaar/article-abstract/XLV/1/73/803269?redirectedFrom=fulltext