Instructor: Rev. Peter Allen
Quotes
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
-Albert Einstein, Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium, 1941
Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.
-Theodore Roosevelt
The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.
-Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
For the Church of the 21st Century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian.
-Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Church of England)
Among the institutions of our society, only communities of faith can still posit some reason for human existence other than the constant accumulation of stuff.
-Bill McKibben, author and lecturer
Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life.
-Rachel Carson, naturalist, author
Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of the omnipresent God bursts through everywhere.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
-Mother Teresa
Definitions:
Eco-justice refers to the pursuit of ecological sustainability and justice for all creation.
Creation in this study means all that physically exists -- but the term emphasizes God’s role as Creator and our role as stewards.
I use the words nature and natural in this study to refer to that which is not human-made.
Some thoughts from Pete
We are entering a new time. And it’s about time! As people of faith (and people seeking faith) in a post-industrial, post-modern society, we are moving beyond the old dualistic notions that separated flesh and spirit, the earthly and the holy. We are coming to understand that human health and faithful stewardship of creation requires us to recognize the oneness of all things -- physical and spiritual. Is not Jesus Christ our shining example of such oneness?
This will require a shift not only in attitude and behavior but also in identity. We can no longer afford – spiritually, economically, etc. -- to think of ourselves as owners, users, or even rulers of the earth. We are its stewards, which is a sacred role filled with blessings and responsibilities.
We of course have a duty to shrink our “footprint” – our impact as consumers – through conservation, minimizing energy use, reducing pollution, etc. This means changing our habits.
A further responsibility is one we often avoid: speaking up about justice. In a religious setting, justice can be defined as God’s idea of what is right. Are over-consumption, war, economic inequality, environmental destruction, and our understandings of God and the meaning of life all connected somehow? I believe so and I invite you to explore those connections with me in this study. Does Jesus -- as prophet and savior -- offer a way forward on these issues? Do we as the body of Christ have a role in making things better?
I hope that in contemplating these ideas, spending some time in prayer, and (this is key!) sharing your thoughts with others, you will begin a journey of inner transformation, outward action, and prophetic proclamation. I also hope that you will renew your relationship with the earth and cosmos – its land, plant life, water, wind, creatures, sunlight, planets, and stars – and catch in them glimpses of our wonderful Creator.
Scripture Readings with Questions for Meditation & Sharing
I often use an online Bible site: http://unboundbible.biola.edu/ Choose a translation (I use the New Revised Standard Version) and key in the book, chapter, and verses.
God as Creator: Psalm 24, verse 1
What does it mean to you that the earth belongs to God (not us)? How might this notion influence your daily choices and your politics?
The relative value of humans vs. the rest of creation: Matthew 10:29-31
A) In Jesus’ context, human beings were thought to be more valuable than wild animals. Many of us may still believe this to be true. What do you think? Does your opinion match your behavior?
B) Look at the context of the passage: Read all of Matthew 10. Jesus is sending his disciples on a mission and is giving them a pep talk. As people seeking justice for the earth, what wisdom might we glean from Jesus’ encouraging words?
Overpopulation and our role as humans on earth: Genesis 1:28
A) What role does Genesis play in your understanding of human life? Are the stories and pronouncements found in the first book of the Bible prescriptive (must they direct our behavior) or can they function in other ways?
B) Based on our record, which is abysmal, must human beings simply get out of the way, abdicating our role as leaders of the earth? Or are there other, better, more faithful options?
The Body of Christ: I Corinthians 12
This familiar and beloved chapter is foundational for us as members of the United Church of Christ in the congregational tradition. Might we extend Paul’s image of the body to the whole earth? In what ways is the earth a body that needs all its parts to function?
Greed and materialism: Luke 12:13-21
We’ve all heard the old adage, “You can’t take it with you.” OK, so what? How is this idea related to your spiritual well-being?
Eco-justice and international relationships: Acts 17:22-30
In Paul’s call for worldwide unity in Christ, he reminds the Athenians of their ties to all humanity and to God. He also issues a call to repentance. Do we, as Americans, need to repent? In what ways, through our poor stewardship of the earth, have we violated our ties to our sisters and brothers in the human family?
Jesus sought spiritual nourishment in nature: Mark 1:32-39, 4:35-41, 14:32-42
Jesus’ times in the wilderness, on the water, and in the garden (or orchard) readied him for prophetic speech and action. How often do you go outside for the sake of personal renewal: for physical health, to strengthen your relationship with God or others, to increase your appreciation of creation? How might spending more time outside heal you -- body and soul – and inspire you for a ministry of eco-justice?
A Prayer
Creator God, we thank you for the gift of life in all its forms and for the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Please forgive our selfishness and turn us again to Jesus Christ, who reveals the connectedness of all things and leads us in love toward reconciliation and justice. Give us your wisdom and strengthen us for change. Help us to speak out and to live in new ways. May we experience your deep peace in all that surrounds us! Amen.
Online Resources
http://www.eco-justice.org/ (UCC/mainline/ecumenical)
http://www.webofcreation.org/ (Lutheran)
http://www.nccecojustice.org/ (National Council of Churches)
sojo.net (Sojourner’s Magazine website has resources you can order)
Try Googling “eco-justice” and explore. There is a lot more out there!
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1 comment:
I liked the structure of this study. There is much more material here than I can work through in the few hours I have. It does remind us to try to be more eco-friendly in everyday life and try to simplify our lives in many ways. the bible can guide us or misguide us. it is by the fruits of our labor that we can evaluate how we are doing. we aren't einstein but we can listen to what scientists have to tell us and speak up when we see eco-logical or eco-nomical injustices . to the extent that we are willing participants to a consumer centric and cultural-exporting society we have a responsibility to become more aware of our wrong doings and try to do better in the future. we can help ourselves by meditation and by sharing. we can be open to our kids, show them where we obviously failed, tell them we hope it's not too late, tell them about our hopes for a better future for the world ... that they must follow their calling, that our precious planet is in the balance and that they can contribute to building a better world as an engineer, a sociologist, an accountant, a park ranger, a teacher, that they can and will do a better job about inheriting the earth than their parents, that hope in action and action in hope will carry us through .
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