ECOLOGICAL ISSUES
AN INDIAN CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Introduction
We humans have one place to spend our life. This place is a beautiful place that God
has created, handed over and let us live in it: this place is called the Earth.
The word of God declares that the creator created the heavens and the earth on the
first day. When I studied the creation account, I wondered why God had to create the heaven
and earth first. We might come to an idea that the first picture that God had, was the heavens
and the earth. We know that God created humans in the sixth day which was his last creation.
Indeed, God did love the last creation yet He did not create the humans first but He created
the heavens and the earth. This proves one point: God does love the humans and in fact that is
the reason why He created everything else for the humans but God also loves the earth and
everything in it. All the things that one can see on this planet are arranged as a system, a
process that has been triggered in the beginning. It was supposed to be going on in a smooth
way, but the responsibility of taking care of the subjects on the earth that was handed over to
us is being annihilated.
The number one priority on the international agenda is now the environmental
problems that are faced by the entire humankind. If there are no solutions found out by us,
then we must have to be ready to see the collapse of life on the earth. Decade to decade, the
speed of environmental deterioration continues to move faster than ever, with real bad
consequences to be faced. Tropical forest depletion, ozone layer thinning, acid rain
destruction, pollution of the water bodies, soil erosion, climate change and the pollution
caused to the air we breathe are some of the important crisis that is taking place in this earth.
In this paper I am going to give a general introduction to ecology and also the biblical
understanding of ecology, particularly Jesus’ understanding, and the problems that are being
faced by the ecosystem. In particular, I am going to put my focus on deforestation and its
problems. In the end, I will be concluding with some of the church responses that can be
initiated by the church on the whole and as individual Christians against these problems and
try to bring out solutions to it; both the problem of deforestation and also the ecological
crisis.
1
Definition
Dealing with the topic of ecology brings the understanding of environment in a wider
sense. Ecology is a combination of two words; Eco meaning ‘Environment’ and logy
meaning ‘study.’ So the study of environment is ecology. Ecology is the study of
environmental systems or as it is sometimes called, the economy of nature. “Environmental”
usually means relating to the nature, i.e. nature versus human-made world. Ecology can
actually be studied as an academic discipline such as mathematics or physics. 1
Ecological Crisis
Ecological crisis is the cumulative consequence of human assault on our mother
Earth. The human is a very late comer on Earth taking into consideration the long history of
space and time of the universe. Ecological crisis is immense and varied, affecting the Jal
(Water), Jangal (Forest), Jamin (Land), and Janwar (Animals)2.
Ecological Themes in the Bible
The theme ecology is not directly seen as an important theme in the Bible. The
primary reason may be that during the time of writing of the Bible, the ecological crisis was
not at all a threat. Moreover, the authors of the books of the Bible were concerned about other
alarming issues of that time. Though ecology as such does not come as a theme, Bible
nevertheless, has message for ecological concern. The understanding of God, Creation and
Human being find a prominent place in the teaching of the Bible.
a. Ecological themes in the Old Testament
God and the creation have many things that go together; in fact man is not
allowed to break anything that is related to the system of the environment as God
owns the creation and the nature in itself. Genesis 1-2 talks more about the
environment which bears the ecological idea, Psalms 104 speaks about the majesty of
God with the usage of the nature to exalt him and worship him. Mentioning of the
words like the clouds, the light, the waters, the earth, the mountains, the animals and
the birds, the trees, the moon and the sun, and the human beings all show how much
important the environment is in with relation to God the creator. Leviticus 25:23 talks
1
www.eoearth.org/view/article/151932 (accessed on 21st June 2015)
2
Wati Longchar. Green Theology (Kolkata: ESPACE,2014), 3.
2
about the earth or the land and says that they belong to the Lord 3. There are many
other references also connecting to the nature and God 4. There are invariably three
ways in which God and the nature can be seen related to each other.
God as Creator, which gives an understanding that God is the creator and the
creation is under him and He rules everything in it. However, this kind of
understanding of God as creator also makes one think that God is only limited to the
beginning of the formation of the earth and eco-system while he has no role in today’s
problems faced because of the ecological crisis. Secondly, God in creation. God in
creation makes a distinct difference between God as creator and God in creation.
According to Moltmann, “God is not merely the creator of the world. He is the spirit
of the universe. Through powers and potentialities of the Spirit, the creator indwells
the creature he has made, animated them holds them in life and leads them into the
future of this kingdom.5” and finally, God with creation. The theological implication
of this understanding is that God cannot be conceived apart from creation. God and
the nature have organismic relationship between them. If one is affected then the latter
is also affected. They affect each other and are mutually affected by each other. 6
b. Ecological themes in the New Testament
The New Testament revolves around the Life of Jesus Christ and in every
book in the New Testament; in one or the other way relates to Jesus Christ as Paul
said in his letter to the Colossians 1:15; “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.” This proves that Christ is the source of all creation.
The whole universe came into being through Him. Christ and creation are integrally
related to each other. The interrelationship between Christ and creation lays a strong
foundation for ecology to present Christ in direct relationship with creation 7. Since it
is mainly understood as Christ is being the centre of ecology in the New Testament,
one can see the relationship in the following paragraph.
3
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners
and strangers.”
4
There are other instances in the book of Isaiah where the nature is depicted like in Isaiah 40:26-28, Isa 42:5.
5
Wati Longchar. Green Theology (Kolkata: ESPACE,2014), 105-106.
6
Ibid., 106.
7
Ibid., 109.
3
Ecological Implications on Jesus’ Life
The ecological vision of Jesus is derived from his own being and experience of
formation in the setting of a natural environment. His lifestyle and values evolved from a life
lived in the midst of animals and plants. As a countryside man, he would have experienced
the struggles of a marginal countryman that helped Jesus to observe first hand in his ministry
to them, he chose to articulate his teachings on the rule of God using nature images derived
from the farm land and the working of nature that was so common to the people and other
who belonged to the alienated social groups and the people who were marginalized during
that time. When Jesus spoke in parables to the people he always used examples which were
common to the people, which were of daily use to the people. The people who listened to his
teachings were able to relate to them because of the usage of Jesus’ words like mustard seed
etc. The people could easily grasp Jesus’ teaching regarding the kingdom of God as an
agricultural cycle which starts with the sowing of the seed and brought to fruition in a big
manner. The mission engagement of Jesus with the sick, the disabled, the outcast, the
marginalized, the publicans and the women were clear examples of Jesus’ understanding of
the close connection between society and the creation 8. These teaching if not as easy as Jesus
taught would be tough as they are theologically profound, yet Jesus was able to relate them to
the common man and woman. From the day Jesus was born, till his resurrection most of the
instances, one can see the use of the creation around him, which were sometimes used and
sometimes just left alone.
We have seen the relationship of the Bible with ecology both in the Old and the New
Testament. Ecology started in God and only God has authority over it. Humans being just a
creation only have the authority to use the fruitfulness of the resources given to them but as
the days pass on, one can see that the authority that was given to the humans is being used in
a wrong way to fulfil their greed. For eg. The fruits in the trees were given to the humans to
be fed upon but the humans on the other hand, use the fruits and also cut off the trees. As
Mahatma Gandhi would say, “The earth provides enough to satisfy man (woman) needs not
the man (woman) greed.9” It is indeed true. In the below paragraphs we will be studying
about the way humans have overtaken the forests, which is a primary source and have cut
down trees to fulfil their needs and the effects and results of it.
Deforestation
8
Wati Longchar. Green Theology (Kolkata: ESPACE,2014), 147-148.
9
www.goodreads.com/quotes (accessed on 21st June 2015)
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From time started in history, the forests have been providing sanctuary for half of the
earth’s known species, and helped regulate global rainfall patterns. They protect the
environment and are an important source of crucial raw materials. While loggers and ranchers
join hands with road and dam builders to destroy this precious natural resource for short term
gains, the world is losing what could be its long term economic base. Deforestation threatens
irreversible climatic changes and loss of the gene pools we require for future agricultural and
medical progress10. So what is deforestation? In simple terms, the depletion of forests for the
need of human kind is deforestation. Forests have been of great use for the humans from the
early times, but there is always a limit for everything and anything that is used in an
excessive amount at a very speedy rate is going to affect the user itself. Deforestation has
been going on for centuries, but losses accelerated in the 1950s, again in 1980 and yet again
in the late 1980s. By 1988, half of the world’s forests were gone 11. This would represent one
of the biggest tragedies in the ecological disasters ever, creating an imbalance in the
ecological system in the nature.
Humans demands on the forest fall into two categories. First, a demand for forest
quantities; for the actual things a forest can produce like timber, for food and for space for
cultivation or for grazing. Second, a demand for forest qualities; for the effects that forests
have on the environment of man- to protect supplies of water, provide havens for wild life
and maintain the pool of genetic resources, to protect the soil against erosion and to provide
space for recreation12.
Importance of Forests
Forests have a lot of importance in both humans and animals life all in all. Here is
some of the importance as a list. Forest help us breathe, They are home for 80 percent of Bio
Diversity, estimated amount of 60 million indigenous peoples survival is based on forests,
they keep the air cool and fresh, they help us get rain, they block strong winds, they clean up
dirty soil, they muffle noise pollution, they feed human beings, they give us medicine, they
help us in making things right from paper to furniture etc. Protection of forest is necessary for
the sake of fresh air, stabilization of climate, supply of water, prevention of soil erosion,
droughts and floods, and the preservation of biodiversity. Forests help maintain the oxygen
10
NA. The Vanishing Forest (Bombay: Popular Prakashan Private Limited, 1989), 15.
11
Andrew Rees. The Pocket Green Book (USA: Zed Books Ltd, 1991), 14.
12
Vandana Shiva. Ecology and the Politics of Survival: Conflicts over Natural Resources in India (New Delhi:
United Nations University Press, 1991), 64.
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levels of the air which is basic pre condition of life. Deforestation leads to destabilization of
climate, supply of water, soil erosion and destruction of biodiversity. Forest could not absorb
the carbon dioxide emission thus create climate imbalance.
Causes of Deforestation
For every action there is a reason. Until and unless this reason is valid enough as not
to bring destruction to ourselves is what is important. Here are some of the reasons as to why
deforestation takes place. Firstly, many third world countries are in serious debt with the
developed countries and they are in serious need of repaying it. So they cut down their
resources in order to substantiate. Second important reason is for the things we are able to
make through the forests, especially for the use of tree woods. Thirdly, for agricultural
purposes and also for urbanization purposes forests are being cut down so that place may be
provided for the all time growing population of human beings 13. Some of them have different
reasons as to why they cut trees but these are the most important in terms of members at
large.
The leading problem that the society faces because of deforestation has its effects. As
said previously, it is home for many species and if that home is threatened then the life of
these species is also threatened which in turn will become the reason for extinction of species.
Another problem would be the people living near the forest or in forests may lose shelter and
come inside the urban place and therefore the population will ooze and create problems in the
urban setting also. Deforestation may also be the reason for Green house effect which is the
second major cause of carbon dioxide emissions, which is lethal in depleting the ozone layer.
To add insult to these effects, deforestation may also be the reason for soil erosion. When the
top soil erodes, the land becomes infertile and will be of no help to farming, cattle ranching,
and plantations or in fact forests again. Finally, if deforestations take place then there will be
change in the climate which will affect the humans directly 14. One or the other way, the
process of deforestation for the comfort of human beings, is going to bring back its wrath on
the human being itself.
Church Response to the Ecological Crisis and Deforestation
13
Andrew Rees. The Pocket Green Book (USA: Zed Books Ltd, 1991), 15
14
Ibid., 16.
6
Church is not just a institution outside the society but it is in the society and therefore
the church has equal work to be done in the society. To be precise, in spite of the problems
the church faces the issues of the society must also be considered in an extent by the church
and try to bring out solutions for the same. The church also depends on the environment for
its uses and therefore it has the responsibility to save it.
Church is a collection of individuals. It is a social community. The people may come
from different sectors which divides them into many. But when the church faces a conflict,
the division in the church is expected to be put aside and with unity, solutions has to be found
out. To change ecological crisis for some extent, both individually and the church as a whole
can work for the betterment of the eco system. One must always remember that church
consists of individuals, only then the church is complete. Some of the actions that they can do
are as follows.
1. Respect and care for the community of life: An ethic based on respect and care for
each other and the Earth is the foundation for sustainable living. Development ought
not to be at the expense of other groups or later generations, nor threaten the survival
of other species. The benefits and costs of resource use and environmental
conservation should be shared fairly among different communities, among people
who are poor and those who are affluent and between our generation and those who
going to come after us.
2. Conserve the Earth’s vitality and diversity: Development must be conservation
based: it must protect the structure, functions and diversity of the world’s natural
systems, on which our species depends. To this we need to
a. Conserve life support system: these are the ecological processes that keep the
planet fit for life. They shape climate, cleanse air and water, regulate water
flow etc.
b. Conserve Bio-diversity: This includes all species of plants, animals and other
organisms. The range of genetic stocks within each species, and the variety of
ecosystems.
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c. Ensure that the use of renewable resources is sustainable: These resources
include soil, wild and domesticated organisms, forests, rangelands, cultivated
land and the marine and freshwater ecosystems.
3. Minimize the depletion of non- renewable resources: The depletion of non
renewable resources like minerals, oil, gas and coal must be minimized. While these
cannot be used sustainable, their life can be extended. For eg. By recycling, by using
less of a resource to make a particular product, or by switching to renewable
substitutes where possible. These practices are essential if the Earth is to sustain
billions more people in future, and give everyone a life of decent quality.
4. Change Personal Attitudes and Practices: To adopt the ethic for living, people
must re-examine their values ad alter their behaviour. Society must promote values
that support the ethic and discourage those that are incompatible with an ecological
stability. Information must be disseminated through formal and informal education of
the ecosystem so that needed actions are widely understood.
5. Enable Church to Care for their own environments: Churches and local groups
provide the easiest channels for people to express their concerns and take action to
create securely based ecological societies. However, such communities need the
authority, power and knowledge to act. People who organize themselves to work for
ecology in their own communities can be an effective force whether their community
is rich, poor, urban, suburban or rural.
6. Churches need to prepare an inventory of its forest resources, and a strategy for their
management.
7. Churches need to protect areas of natural forest including old growth, modified forest
has to be maintained and use them sustainably and establish plantations for intensive
production
8. Also involve local communities and people in forest management15.
15
NA. Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living (Switzerland: UNEP, 1991), 5-15
8
9. Church can also actively participate with environmental groups that work for the
betterment of ecology and fight against the ecological crisis prevailing in their areas.
10. Finally, Church can create awareness among its congregation members and also
individuals showing how creation and the creator is inter related and also showing
them that a crisis that the creation goes through is also the crisis that the church goes
through which in turn the creator also has to worry about.
CONCLUSION
Forest cover a third of all land on Earth, providing vital organic infrastructure for
some of the planets most diverse collections of life. They support countless species as well as
1.6 billion human livelihoods, yet humans are also responsible for 32 million acres of
deforestation every year. The united Nations have declared March 21 as the international day
of Forests in late 2012, part of a global effort to publicize both the value and plight of
woodlands around the world16. We need a theology that promotes respect and a caring
attitude for all of God’s creation. Christian theology of creation also bears to a certain degree
the responsibility that we are supposed to be taking care of the nature and not destroying it.
As it is explained in the paper, the resources and the usefulness of the environment around us
is for the betterment of the humans but not for as a bargain for their needs. The church is one
among the society and it is its privilege to work in fulfilling the burden that the society has
carried upon in it and also make this earth a better place to live. Just as Michael Jackson
would say, “Heal the world and make it a better place,” it’s in the hands of each and every
individual and it is the work of the church to make all these individual become aware and
also make them participate. Then the Earth would be a better place indeed just as God
intended it to be.
16
Vandana Shiva. Ecology and the Politics of Survival: Conflicts over Natural Resources in India (New Delhi:
United Nations University Press, 1991), 11.
