Hamartology and ecology: An assessment of Aruna Gnanadason’s contribution to the contemporary debate

Abstract

This paper is situated in the context of Christian ecotheology – offering both a Christian critique of ecological destruction and an ecological critique of Christianity. One dimension of Christian ecotheology involves ecumenical discourse on the content and ecological significance of the Christian faith. This calls for a reinterpretation of all the classic Christian symbols – in this case the doctrine of sin, specifically the nature of sin, explored in the light of ecological discourse. Given the radical diversity in contemporary forms of Christian ecotheology, this paper explores Indian eco-feminist Protestant theologian Aruna Gnanadason’s contribution to the discourse. It starts with a brief overview of the classical understanding of the nature of sin, followed by the ways in which it is re-described in contemporary ecotheological discourse. It then investigates Gnanadason’s contextual approach and contribution to ecotheology through a discussion of anthropocentrism, domination in the name of differences of species, consumerist greed and alienation – profoundly influenced by her own context. The method employed encompasses ecclesial scrutiny, namely Christianity’s contribution to the environmental crisis, followed by theological reflection on ecological sin, as well as alternative courses of action to appropriately address the issues in question. In conclusion, the article assesses the relevance of Gnanadason’s contribution to the current ecotheological debate.