Eco- Justice Theologies -Short

Eco- Justice Theologies

Nature of crises

In a Seminary garden many trees are planted and after the trees were growing. Suddenly the management they told that, you did not ask any permission to plant the trees here. So they decided to destroy the trees to make the parking place. So in the seminary itself there no justice for eco. Nature does not have the right to exist wherever it wants! Human interference and exploitation deteriorate the environment and nature at a fast rate.

If it doesn't address at the right time at the right place, the consequences will be immeasurable. Various pollutions-Air, Water, Land, Noise- lead to Global Warming, and our environment is almost not suitable to sustain our lives. Eco-Justice Theology is the need of the Hour. 

So how we will change the world through this Justice using the Biblical mandate of stewardship.

Ecology and Ecological crisis:

Ecology:

The branch of biology that deals with the relation and interaction of organisms to one another and to other physical surroundings. Ecology is the study of the relationship of organisms with their living and nonliving environment. No organism exists entirely independently of other living and nonliving things around it.

1. Interdisciplinary
2. Words to know
3. Energy and productivity
4. The ultimate goal of Ecology

When there is a serious degradation of the natural environment that jeopardises the survival of all life on Earth, it is referred to as an ecological crisis. Imagine the state of our planet's health in the intensive care unit due to pollution, deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

• Systemic Degradation: It affects planetary boundaries like biodiversity and climate regulation and causes extensive environmental harm as opposed to limited, localised problems.
• Human Causation: Overconsumption, unsustainable industrial practices, and, in certain cases, the capitalist emphasis on expansion over environmental health are its main causes.
• Consequences: These include a decline in the resources required for human survival, deforestation, ecological collapse, and an acceleration of biodiversity loss.
• Ecological Imbalance: This occurs when an environment changes so quickly that organisms are unable to adapt, which frequently results in population crashes.

Eco- Justice Theology

God gave men and women a special place among other creatures because they were made in His image, and He gave them instructions to take care of the earth (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:6-8). Stewardship means taking care of others, not mistreating them or abusing them. God has given us resources, and we are to wisely handle them, taking every precaution to keep them safe and secure. This is demonstrated in the Old Testament, where God mandated that fields and vineyards be planted and harvested for six years before being left fallow for a seventh year to replenish the nutrients in the soil, rest the land, and guarantee future provision for His people (Exodus 23:10–11; Leviticus 25:1–7).

However, the planet on which we live is neither permanent nor ever meant to be. We know that this is not God's design, yet the environmental movement is obsessed with attempting to protect the planet forever. In 2 Peter 3:10, He predicts that the earth and all He has made will be destroyed at the end of time. 

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up" (NKJV). The physical, natural earth in its present form, with its entire universe will be consumed, and God will create a "new heaven and a new earth" (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).