Curious Christian

Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective

Evangelicals, Earth Worshippers and Environmentalism

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Matt Stone

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H. Byron Ballard from Witchvox writes:


Several years ago, I nursed a fantasy that Pagans could show some leadership in the dominant culture around environmental and eco-justice issues. My rallying cries went largely unheeded through several turnings of the Wheel. Get out of that computer chair and spend some quality time outside! Hug a tree! Join a local interfaith group and preach that biosphere gospel!

But now it may be too late for us to take real leadership because even the evangelical Christians are speaking out on behalf of stewardship of God’s creation. Liberal Christians and Jews are worshipping with Earth-focused liturgy, bringing dirt and animals and whale song into their houses of worship. They are digging into their own rich traditions and finding ways to return to their Garden. And they don’t need any help from us, thank you very much. Well, not much help.

Maybe there is one unpaid bill that the church is finally paying off. But before anyone gets too cocky there’s a long way to go yet. The carbon catastrophy is still looming after all.

 

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One response to “Evangelicals, Earth Worshippers and Environmentalism”

  1. philjohnson Avatar
    philjohnson

    Matt
    Although there are “noises” in US evangelicalism about ecology, with some murmurs even reaching the White House, I’m not persuaded that this goes much beyond mere talk and slogans. There are some evangelicals who are interested theologically in ecology like the AuSable Institute, and there are other such groups.
    However this is not yet evidenced by any serious work on challenging the power engine of capitalist greed and consumption; nor does it seriously engage with animal theology. At best there are concerns for endangered species, but nothing whatsoever on questioning industrialised farming, maltreatment of domestic and agricultural animals etc.
    There are big themes like pollution and diminishing mineral resources, but these concerns are still generated largely by desires to sustain urban lifestyles in the west. There is lopsided thinking about the “catch-up” phase of the developing nations chasing America’s dream of unlimited wealth, and the need to address the roots of poverty. I do not see much discussion oriented around a creation-theology that is holistic. It is very piece-meal, and unfortunately the theological reflection is internalised; that is there is no discussion or reflection on why certain kinds of spiritual movements (like neo-pagans) are on the frontiers of ecology and spiritual life. Of course that would require looking at more than just “industrial bills of the church”, and would require deeper reflection on many other “unpaid bills of the church” that pour into creation theology and ethics.

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