The Contemporary Theology of Creation and Eschatology - Essay Example

How does a contemporary theology of creation and eschatology contribute to debates on the correct Christian response to the current ecological degradation of the planet? The contemporary theology of creation and eschatology The theology of creation and eschatology propose the link of creation and eschatology to each other. One cannot better understand creation without eschatology. God brought about the universe with an aim of realizing a specific purpose and hence creation came into being. In the same manner, God intended to guide the universe into realizing His purpose and this is brings about eschatology. Creation is not only about deism that is the belief in God based on reason without any revelation. It is rather about theism where there is the belief in God as the creator and the sharing of God with His creation by revelation. Eschatology is also not only concerned about the end of ages and what is bound to take place, but also God’s purpose realization at every stage of the creation (Marmion and Hines 92). Creation is identified with Christ and is Christ-centered. This is because Christ in the book of John 1:1 in the Bible is identified with the Word: “It is by the Word that everything was created and, therefore, this implies that creation was done through Christ.” Therefore, as Christians, in order to enhance the fulfillment of God’s purpose in creation, Christians ought to take up their cross daily, participate in the work of God and be faithful followers of Christ (King 56). Christ’s redemptive power is what sets in the tone of eschatology as far as Christianity is concerned. Christ came in the form of man to be crucified and died on the cross, and He resurrected so that through His death and resurrection, human beings may be saved from the wrath of God that would come upon every son of disobedience. This is what eschatology is founded on. Since God created human beings in His own likeness, He desires to redeem them from the wrath at the end of ages and transform them into His likeness. Nevertheless, during eschatology, man will have to stand before the judgment seat and account for everything he did on earth as far as God’s creation and his own life are concerned (Gunton 24). This calls for a careful approach by man as he deals and interacts with God’s creation. Man has to deal with the environment in a way that will please and glorify God. Therefore, it is considered sinful if human beings will be reckless in dealing with the environment. The ecological degradation of the environment is a reckless way of man dealing with his environment. It is reckless because it leaves the environment in a worse condition than it was at the beginning. Not anything watering down God’s efforts and His creation work will definitely please Him. Creation work was beautiful in the look of God and its destruction is a simple declaration of man’s lack of appreciation to the good things that God Himself freely gave out to him (Lonning 72). Current Ecological Degradation and Christian response to the current ecological degradation Looking at the current ecological degradation, we can all agree with the fact that the environment today is not the true picture of what God created in the beginning. Man has terribly failed in his role of tending for the planet that was entrusted to him. We should actually own up the mistakes and acknowledge the fact that we have all failed. The environment is being degraded day by day in different ways. In this paper, I will mention but a few. To begin with is the high level of pollution. With the desire to meet our own needs, we have selfishly engaged in many activities that have turned out to be very hazardous to the environment. We have constructed industries with an intention of earning money and improving the living standards. This is often done with very little consideration of the consequences of the by products from the industries on the environment. Chemicals are normally used in the processing plants and they come out still in their harmful form or even worse as they are released into the environment. Many industries do not completely ensure that these chemicals are totally made harmless before being released into the atmosphere. Some chemicals come out acidic or basic, and are harmful to life in the ecology (Johnson 43). Another emission into the environment is the smoke from the chimneys of these factories. Many of these factories do not have filters fitted on the chimneys to filter out any harmful gases or make them harmless. In fact, some industries are not yet bothered to know what kind of gases are present in the emissions to the atmosphere. They are waiting to be pushed by environmentalists or the government in order to determine the level of harm of the smoke produced to the ecology. However, the truth still stands out that the gases produced have affected life in ecology and some emissions have even changed the DNA of some plants and animals. Acidic gases have the fatal effect of causing acidic rain, which slowly kills life in the ecology (Hayes 32). High levels of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere have created the green house effect that has altered the weather conditions making it hard for the survival of life. The green house effect has led to the increase of environmental temperatures beyond what the ecology needs for its own regulation. The alteration in the weather conditions has killed life in the ecology, therefore, degrading it. Another way through which the ecology has been degraded is through improper methods of cultivation. Poor farming methods have been used when land is being tilled. These leave the soil very loose, which leads to soil erosion. Application of a lot of fertilizer and other farm inputs during farming has also affected the ecological system. This is because the soil is consequently left unproductive and hostile for the habitation of other organisms in that ecological system (Lonning 86). Man is also practicing other activities, which have directly affected the ecology. This includes falling down of trees recklessly through charcoal burning or production of timber without planting others. Falling down of trees is a fatal activity that will totally affect the ecosystem hence life. Trees and other plants control the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere consequently reducing the green house effect. They also enhance the creation of a microclimate hence maintaining right water levels in the atmosphere required for the survival of the members of a given ecological system. Trees also provide a habitation to many members of an ecological system besides sheltering them from hostile conditions like excess heat. Another way that has depleted the ecological system therefore, degrading it is the extinction of some members of the ecology through poaching and other activities by man, which have shortened the life of the animals and plants. Having some importance attached to some body parts of some animals like the elephant’s ivory, poaching has increased. These animals are killed to obtain these parts without considering the extinction of these animals. This is a major threat to the extinction of such animals because they are killed in large scale. Some animals are also hunted for meat, which has also decreased their numbers incredibly. Today, many debates are there concerning the correct Christian response to the current ecological degradation of the planet, many of which go unnoticed and without affirmative action taken. The Christians should not continue with this current trend but instead act in the mandate given to them by God in favor of the ecology. Christians should never be seen to support or even seem to support any form of ecological degradation. They should instead be anti-ecological degradation supporters and spear headers. With ecological degradation on the increase, the Christian today should be greatly bothered. Things should not be like this because it is not first the intention of God for the environment. Secondly, it will eventually affect them since they are in the same ecological system that is being mercilessly destroyed. Therefore, Christians should be on the forefront in the confrontation of activities that are out to degrade the ecological system. They should also fully support and be part of environmentalists and other groups championing for the improvement of the environment (Lane 27). In responding to ecological degradation, Christians should make it a habit in themselves of buying products that are recycled. This is because they are deliberate moves of eliminating or controlling the non-biodegradable wastes. Christians should also conserve water as a way of improving the ecology. This is because water is a vital component of the ecological system without which there may be no life in the system. Christians should also lead by example by avoiding littering the environment or throwing waste material at places that are not appropriate. For instance, Christians should be at the forefront in filling up petitions against industries that have been discovered to degrade the environment without minding the effects being caused. They should engage with others showing them the importance of conserving the environment by rightly interacting with it. They should also champion for the planting of trees in areas where they are cut down or where they are completely lacking. This will do a great favor to the ecology by restoring what had been destroyed or improving what is currently there (Breuilly 3). Contribution of the contemporary theology of creation and eschatology to debates on the correct Christian response to the current ecological degradation of the planet In addition to the ongoing debates on the correct Christian response to the current ecological degradation of the planet, the contemporary theology of creation and eschatology has great contribution. The fact that man knows his duty and mandate in creation should not be a leeway to his misuse of the creation. Man is free to use anything that God has entrusted in his hands. For instance, he can cut a tree and use it for construction or production of timber for furniture. He can also use the trees as a source of firewood and fuel both at home and in the industries. However, in doing this, he should be aware of the consequences of this and know how to deal with them. He should thus not cut trees just for the sake of cutting. If he does, it will be termed misuse of the environment, which the theology of creation does not advocate for (OMurchu 52). Basing on this theology of creation, the fact that man is in charge of the rest of God’s creation, according to what God commanded him should make Christians respond correctly to the ecological degradation. They should not just watch ecological degradation is being furthered without any affirmative action. They should neither encourage it nor be part of those who degrade the ecology. Christians should know that according to creation they are all mandated to take some good care of the ecology. The theology of eschatology, which is related to the creation as we already saw, should also click a button in man as far as his responsibility is concerned. Creation being the start of the world, eschatology is the end of the world where man should stand and account for his responsibilities. Because he will stand for judgment, to account for all that he did and what he was charged to do, humankind should respond correctly to the ecological degradation. The Bible says that those who will not be found worth will be cast out into the darkness where there will be gnashing of teeth. Therefore, the joy of meeting God the Father of all creation ought to keep alive in man the responsibility that he was mandated. On these grounds, man should be able to stand in the debates of Christian response to ecological degradation and support the correct response. He should tirelessly work at eliminating all the possible effects of environmental degradation. Christians should care for the ecological system being aware that it is a command from God and that there is a crown for it. A contemporary theology of creation and eschatology should be able to empower all men in line with what is the will of God concerning ecological degradation. It should outline to them the benefits of caring for the ecological system and the consequences of failing to care for it. In this way, all men are going to be alert and aware of the possible consequences of their actions when dealing with the environment. The two theologies should be taught to all men especially concerning the environment. It should not be limited to the Christians only. It will help to ensure that meaningless debates are all over and that each man embarks on their God given responsibilities. These theologies should be taught in environmental conservation workshops, gatherings, and social actions like tree planting days. They should be incorporated in the training material as a topic for training on its own self and not as a by-the-way topic (Marmion and Hines 102). The theologies can stand all alone in their contribution. Works Cited Breuilly, Elizabeth. Christianity and ecology. London: Casse. 1992. Print Edwards, D. Earth Revealing, Earth Healing. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2001. Print Edwards, D. Jesus and the Cosmos. New york: New York Press, 1991. Print Gunton, C. E. Christ and Creation. Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1993. Print Hayes, Z. Visions of a Future. Collegeville: Collegeville press, 1992. Print Johnson, E. Women,Earth And Creator Spirit. New York: Paulist Press, 1993. Print King C. Habitat of Grace: Biology, Christianity and the Global Environmental Crisis. Adelaide: Australian Theological forum, 2002. Print Lane, D. Keeping Hope Alive: Stirrings in Christian Eschatology. Ney York: Paulist Press, 1996. Print Lonning, P. Creation-An Ecumenical Challenge. Macon: Mercer university Press, 1989. Print Marmion, D. and M.E Hines. The Cambridge Companion to Karl Rahner. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print OMurchu, D. Quantum Theology. New york: Crossroads, 1997. Print Read More