The Ecological Challenge to Christianity

Abstract

Most people who think seriously about the ecological crisis will agree that it presents the premier challenge for the coming millennium. Exploding human populations will put vast strains on resources. Global warming, deforestation, and other forms of pollution to air, land, and water will continue to expand as the ethos of technology takes over our world. In this evolving scenario of ecological degradation what is the role of religion in general and of Christianity in particular? Just as all religions were shaped in specific cultural climates all living religions have had to adapt their message and action to new crises in history. In his brilliant meditation on the poetics of matter-energy convertibility, David Toolan (1996:14) asks: “So now, what shall we make of nature?” In light of the new creation story, that of a multi-billion year development, and of the new physics in our time characterized by Einstein, Toolan seems to be asking our great world systems of spirituality to respond in depth to the ecological challenge. I would like to explore some avenues for approaching this challenge to religions in a more limited way by focusing on dimensions of Christianity that are summoned toward revisionary thinking in face of the growing threat to the planet. Those of us who work in the interfacing of religion and ecology are aware of significant thinkers who are addressing these issues; a growing list of such scholars includes Thomas Berry, Sallie McFague, Jay McDaniel, James Gustafson, Rosemary Ruether, and others. There are also Christian environmental organizations and programs attempting to raise consciousness within churches and seminaries. But on the whole, the ecological reconfiguration of Christian thought and practice is still in its infancy. Ecology has hardly penetrated the shell of modern Christianity. The impact of this spiritual reconfiguration has not been felt significantly in the concrete circumstances of Christian living; it is like a distant comet still far removed from where we live. The new challenge calls us far beyond recycling or a few prayers for the earth at Mass or turning the church garden into a bird sanctuary or talking occasionally about a stewardship ethic toward the planet. If we take the challenge seriously, it will cut to the roots of our religious consciousness and activity; it will ask about how Christianity can become a nature religion. I will consider aspects of this challenge in the areas of doctrine, liturgy, spirituality, and ethics.