International Handbook on Creation Care and Eco-Diakonia

CONTENTS

Words of Greeting xiii

Editorial: Creation Care in the Context of a Global Pandemic, Rising Economic Inequality and Worsening Ecological Crisis xxv

The Editors: Daniel Beros, Eale Bosela, Lesmore Ezechiel, Kambale Kahongya, Ruomin Liu, Grace Moon, Marisa Strizzi, Dietrich Werner
Explanation and Meditation on the Cover Design xxxvii

Lucy Krone-D’Souza and Andreas Krone
List of Contributors and Editors li

SECTION I
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR CREATION CARE AND ECO-DIAKONIA AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

1. Christian Stewardship and Creation: African Perspectives on Environment and Development 3
J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu

2. Care for Creation: An Ecotheological Reading of Genesis 2 16
Marthe Maleke Kondemo

3. The Ecclesial Mandate of Eco-Diakonia in the Mission of God: An African Lutheran Perspective 25
Abednego Nkamuhabwa Keshomshahara

4. God’s Mission, God’s Economy or God’s Joy as the Deepest Source of Resilience amidst Forces of Death and Destruction? 35
Ernst M. Conradie

5. Ecological Stewardship from African Indigenous thoughts in dialogue with Christian Traditions: Resisting Ecological Violence in Africa 44
Jonathan Kivatsi Kavusa

6. A Missio-African Discourse on Eco-Diakonia 53
John Paul Isaak

7. Water, Bringer of Life for People and Wildlife – Perspectives from Lebanon 60
Chris Naylor

8. The Protection of the Common Good and the Integrity of the Natural Environment as a Common Responsibility of all Inhabitants of the Earth – Message for World Day of Creation 63
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I

ASIA AND PACIFIC

9. ‘Eco-Diakonia’: Echoing the ‘Green God’ in the Age of the Pandemic 65
Mothy Varkey

10. First Commission for Creation Care: Interpreting “To Have Dominion” Biblical Reflections from an Indian Context 73
Chilkuri Vasantha Rao

11. The Churches’ Responsibility to Develop Eco-Diakonia: A Reflection on Romans 8:19-23 79
Gloria Lita D. Mapangdol

12. Who Owns this Earth by the Way? The Challenge of Revisiting and Reframing the Notion of Stewardship 86
Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro

13. The Significance of Laudato Si’ for Asian Churches with special reference to the “Laudato Si’ Year” and “Action Platform” 96
Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam SDB

14. Environmental Stewardship and Creation Care as a Key Concern of the Global Lausanne Movement: Biblical Foundations, Key Initiatives and Future Perspectives 104
Las Newman, Ed Brown and Dave Bookless

15. A Biblical-Theological Basis for Ecology: Reading the Bible in the Perspective of Harmony between Earth and Humankind 111
Chong Hun Pae

16. The Ecological Relevance and the Meaning of the Land According to the Book of Psalms 119
Yifan Lu

17. God’s Creation and Creation Care in the Old Testament: Perspectives of the Holy Covenant (berit) 125
Li Xinnong

18. Reconsidering Ecological Civilisation from a Chinese Christian Perspective 131
Bryan K. M. Mok

19. The Ecological Heritage of Protestantism from a Chinese Christian Perspective 142
Lai Pan-Chiu

20. Life in the Spirit: Paul Tillich’s Ecological Pneumatology in the Chinese Context 158
Keith, Ka-fu Chan

21. Spiritual and Contextual Theological Resources for Resilience in Pacific Islands Communities: Choosing life – Affirming our Right to Live with Integrity of Creation 163
Lorine Tevi

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

22. Theological Affirmations for Living Together 169
Marisa Strizzi

23. Justice by Faith and Ecojustice: Contours of a ‘Life in the Spirit’, in Contrast to the Spirit of the Unlimited 178
Daniel Carlos Beros

24. Ecotheological Narratives for a Planet in Code Red 186
Neddy Astudillo

25. Ecological and Integral Spirituality: A Latin American Perspective 193
Claudio de Oliveira Ribeiro

26. Eroecosophia of Territory-Bodies: Feminist Spiritualities in Resistance 201
Marilú Rojas Salazar

27. The Old Nature and the New Creation 208
Néstor Míguez

28. Religion, Nature and Health as Stimuli for Eco-Diakonia: Reflections from Hildegard von Bingen and Catherine von Bora 216
Márcia Blasi and Valério G. Schaper

29. The Anthropocene in Salvation History 223
Lucio Florio

30. Pentecostalism: Spirituality, Body and Creation 230
Abiud Fonseca

31. “The Earth is the Lord”: Towards an Ecospirituality for the Caribbean 239
Anna Kasafi Perkins

SECTION II
CONCEPTS AND PROFILES OF CREATION CARE AND ECO-DIAKONIA IN DIFFERENT REGIONS AND DENOMINATIONAL TRADITIONS AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

32. “The Welfare of the Earth is our Welfare”: The Work and Ministry of AACC in Eco-Diakonia and Creation Care 251
Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel

33. Ecological Crisis and Climate Change as a Theological Challenge in Francophone Africa 256
Samuel Frouisou

34. African Ecumenical and Diaconal Approaches to Ecological Crisis Mitigation 264
James Amanze

35. She Was Living in a Forest: Lessons on Christian Mission for Environmental Care from African Rural Women 273
Eunice Kamaara

36. The Missing Link: Women of Faith as Advocates of Climate Justice 279
Rosinah Mmannana Gabaitse

37. Youth Redefining Ecotheology: A Narrative of a Young Lutheran Theologian from Nigerian Context 287
Barde Cham Benedict

38. Interreligious Engagements on Climate Change Adaptation: Walking the Talk of Interfaith Relations 292
Margaret Makafui Tayviah

39. Climate Action, African Traditional Wisdoms and Laudato Si 301
Obiora F. Ike

40. Healing of Creation for Sustainable Development in the Context of East Africa 312
Ernest William Kadiva

41. The Role of Pentecostal Churches for Strengthening Ecological Principles and a Foundation for Pentecostal Contribution to Creation Care 323
Mangaliso Matshobane

42. Theological Motivations behind Conservation of Church Forests in Ethiopia 332
Abate Gobena

43. The House of God: The Orthodox Church in the Middle East and the Environment 341
Bassam A. Nassif

44. “One God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of All Things Visible and Invisible”: Teachings on Creation from “For the Life of the World. Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church” 347
Ecumenical Patriarchate

45. The Strategic Role of ACT National Forums and National Councils of Churches in Public Advocacy for Climate Justice, Creation Care and Sustainable Development in Africa 350
Bob Kikuyu and Julius Mbatia

ASIA AND PACIFIC

46. Eco-Justice and Eco-Diakonia – An Imperative for Creation Care: Perspectives and Initiatives from CCA 356
Mathews George Chunakara

47. Eco-Theological Reflections and Praxis on Organic Farming and Biogas in Indonesia 369
Petrus Sugito

48. Creation Care as a Theme in Chinese Christianity –
Beginnings, Obstacles and Potentials 376
Theresa Carino

49. On the Concepts and Forms of Engagement for Ecological Transformation in Churches in China 385
Ruomin Liu

50. Further Contextualization of Chinese Christianity from an Ecological Perspective 394
Manhong Lin and Xuebin Zhou

51. The Relevance of Eco-Diakonia in the Context of Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia – The Church Engagement towards Palm Oil Sustainability 402
Jenny Purba

52. Relationality, Creation Care, and Eco-Diakonia in Pasifika Communities 411
Upolu Lumā Vaai

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

53. Joined through the Umbilical Cord: Tale of Nana Ologwadule (Mother Earth) 420
Jocabed R. Solano Miselis

54. “To Hear Both the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor”: Contribution from the Original Peoples of the Amazon Towards a Holistic and Integral Ecology 427
Birgit Weiler

55. Socio-Environmental Justice: The Earth and the Table as Theological Places 434
Juan Javier Pioli

56. A Call to Value What Is Invisible: Epistemological Changes for an Ecological and Feminist Theology 441
Arianne van Andel

57. New Scientific Paradigms, Biocolonisation and Latin American Ecospirituality 449
Juan Carlos Valverde Campos

58. Towards an Ecotheology Incarnated in a Political Ecodiakonia 456
Jorge Weishein

59. Towards a Transforming Eco-Diakonia Method: Case Studies in Cuban Ecclesial and Ecumenical Centres 463
Carlos E. Ham

60. Prophetic and Ecological Diakonia: Agricultural Production, Economy and Environmental Sustainability in the River Plate Region 471
Álvaro Michelin Salomón

61. Socio-Ecological Diakonia and Climate Justice –
Perspectives Inspired from the Laudato Si’ Encyclical 477
Humberto Ortiz Roca

SECTION III
TRENDS, KEY ISSUES AND BEST PRACTISE MODELS FOR CREATION CARE AND ECO-DIAKONIA AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

62. Fullness of Life and Harmony with Nature: A Model for Addressing Climate Change and Migration in Southern Africa 487
Buhle Mpofu

63. Eco-Justice and Food Sovereignty – Perspectives of SAFCEI’s Work in Southern Africa 495
Francesca de Gasparis

64. Responding to the Fifth Mark of Mission – The Green Anglicans Movement 501
Rachel Mash

65. Ecumenical Responses in the Time of Climate Change: The Case of Zimbabwe 507
Sostina Takure

66. The Contribution of a National ACT Forum and its Members to Eco-Diakonia in Tanzania 513
Modest Pesha

67. Eco-Diakonia as Joint Christian Action in the Understanding and Practice of the Church in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo 519
Katsirabwenge Musongya Christine and Kambale Jean-Bosco Kahongya Bwiruka

68. The Green Church Concept in the Anglican Church of Rwanda – A New Eco-Diaconal Paradigm 526
Jered Kalimba

69. The Contribution of Religions for Peace Interfaith Youth Network on Climate Justice in Africa 534
Agathe Sagne and El hadj Magezi

70. The Foundations and Practical Implications of the Ecological Work of the Church of Pentecost in Ghana 539
Emmanuel Anim and Emmanuel Awudi

71. Eco-Theological Perspectives in East Africa 546
Loreen Maseno

72. The Role of African Independent Churches on
Ecological Principles for Land Use, Eco-farming and Nutrition Standards 553
John Gichimu

73. Churches in Rwanda: Promoters of Ecological Justice 558
Gloriose Umuziranenge

74. Detached from the World and Attached to Nature:
Contribution of Monasticism for Biodiversity in Ethiopia and Eritrea 568
Abate Gobena

75. Creation Ethics and Family Planning in the Context of DRC Congo: Fruitfulness Blessing in Genesis 1:28 and the Imperative of Mothers’ Health-care and Child Protection 574
Véronique K. Kahindo

76. Hope for the Forest – Atewa Forest in Ghana and Its Relevance for Church and Society 581
Seth Appiah-Kubi, Emmanuel D Turkson and Daryl E. Bosu

77. Water as a Sign of Reconciliation in the Christian Faith in Middle East Contexts 588
Caleb Hutcherson and Wilbert van Saane

ASIA AND PACIFIC

78. The Biblical Foundation for Life-Giving Agriculture and Practical Dimensions of Eco-Diakonia in South Korea 599
Kyeong Ho Han

79. COVID-19 and The Tree of The Garden in Modern Human Civilisation 606
Park Seong-Won

80. The Climate Justice Work of CASA in India: Perspectives, Challenges and Practice 613
Sushant Agrawal and Joycia Thorat

81. Ecological Crisis in Myanmar: Churches’ Involvement in Creation Care 620
Ciin Sian Khai and Suang Khen Pau

82. The Campaign for the Rights to Access Clean Water in Bangladesh 630
David Anirudha Das

83. The Eco-Diakonia Movement in Sulawesi Culture and Religion: Moving Together to Strengthen Our Diverse Communities in Contexts of Disaster 637
Junita Gereja Toraja, Ade Nuriadin, Irna Satigi

84. Keugaharian: Responding to the Ecological Crisis through a Christian Spirituality 644
Junita Gereja Toraja, Ade Nuriadin, Irna Satigi

85. The Ecological and Ethical Significance of the
Afforestation Program in Inner Mongolia 652
Wu Jianrong and Qian Tiezheng

86. The Construction and Practical Exploration of the Ecological Concept of Harmonious Co-existence: Fujian Christianity as an Example to Promote the Development of an Ecological Civilisation 658
Qiying Du and Rebecca Yue

87. Rethinking Development: Conceptual Presuppositions for the Pacific We Want 667
Emele Duituturaga

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

88. Brazilian Tragedy: Risks for the “Common Home”? 673
Romi Márcia Bencke

89. Christian Activism in Socio-Environmental Assemblies of the Argentine Patagonia 679
María Esther Norval

90. Ancestral Spiritualities and the Mutual Nurturing of Life 685
Sofía Chipana Quispe

91. Caregivers of the Common Home: A Popular Movement of Eco-Diakonia 691
Martha María Arriola

92. “Caring for the Forests to Take Care of Life” 697
Laura Vargas

93. The Pastoral Ministry for the Promotion of Creation Care: Dialogues towards a Sustainable Production Model 703
Romario Dohmann

94. Ecumenical and Prophetic Advocacy in Environmental Defence 709
Rolando Pérez-Vela

SECTION IV
MODELS AND METHODS FOR TRAINING AND COMPETENCY BUILDING IN CREATION CARE AND ECO-DIAKONIA AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

96. Christian Formation for Climate Change Resilience in the Nigerian Context 717
Helen Ishola-Esan

97. Practical Models of Eco-Diaconia in Southern Africa: The Case of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Model in Botswana 728
Senzokuhle Doreen Setume

98. The Children of Africa Retooling to Save the Environment: Reimagining Eco-Diakonia 733
Hauwa Madi

99. Interreligious Eco-Diapraxis Toward Climate Change Mitigation 739
Salli Ndombo Effungani

100. Learnings of UEM-Churches in Eco-Diakonia Commitment in Central and Eastern Africa 746
Kambale Jean-Bosco Kahongya Bwiruka

101. Envisioning an African Life-Sustaining Eco-Ethics for Earth Keeping in the Context of Climate Change 757
Gabriel Ezekia Nduye

102. Christian Formation for Climate Change Resilience: Case Studies of the Way a Christian NGO Facilitates Climate Change Resilience in Africa 765
Josias (Sas) Conradie

103. The South African-German Research Hub on Religion and Sustainability (SAGRaS): An Inter-contextual Initiative for Transdisciplinary Research on the Role of Religion for Ecological Sustainability 775
Juliane Stork, Jacques Beukes, Philipp Öhlmann, Ignatius Swart, Tanya van Wyk

104. Educational Trends in Eco-Diaconia in the Context of Zimbabwe 783
Lovemore Togarasei

105. Increasing Global and Local Religious Engagement in Lebanon: A Resilience-Building Approach on Environmental Action 789
Lara Hanna-Wakim and Desiree El Azzi

ASIA AND PACIFIC

106. Nurturing Rural Leaders Who Serve Their People and
Care for the Soil: The Case of the Asian Rural Institute in Japan 794
Tomoko Arakawa, Osamu Arakawa

107. Theological Education for Eco-Justice Ministries:
Reflections on the Serampore Initiatives 800
George Zachariah

108. The Role of Environmental Training and Building Awareness in Indonesian Churches 807
Jhon Kristo Naibaho

109. Walk the Talk: Lessons from the Living Water Campaign from Amity Foundation in Hong Kong 813
Tong Su

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

110. Hope for All of Creation: Practical Guide for the Church in its Care for the Environment 819
Benita Simón Mendoza

111. Give Me That Water: Reflections from Childhood on the Care of Water 825
Elizabeth Salazar-Sanzana

112. Mayan Peoples Epistemological Paradigm – For the Construction of Human Plenitude in Harmony with Nature and Cosmos 831
Vitalino Similox Salazar

113. Care for Creation: What does a Promotional Pastoral Ministry Imply? Fostering Reflection and Educating to Care 836
Deborah Cirigliano Heffel

114. Theological Education in Latin America and the Caribbean: Pedagogical Road to Ecumenical Eco-Diakonia 840
Dan González-Ortega

115. Science and Religion in Schools: Their Importance for Building an Integral Ecology in the Future 847
Lorena V. Oviedo

I find this volume a monumental contribution to the world. We are reminded through this volume that the whole world shares the responsibility for our global life together. People of Africa are not only victims of climate change, but they do have some contribution to it as well. The churches in Africa are also called to contribute to the global theological discourse on creation care and eco-diaconia. And many are doing exactly that in this volume. Africa’s voices are heard.
Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of the All African Conference of Churches, Nairobi

This unique International Handbook on Creation Care and Eco-Diakonia is bringing together major ‘voices of the global South’. The ‘cry of the earth’ and the ‘cry of the poor’ inseparably belong together. Social and ecological justice and intimately bound together and should never be separated. The relevance of these ‘voices of the global South’ for the Great Transformation in which humanity is participating currently, cannot be overestimated.
Prof. Jürgen Moltmann, Protestant Theological Faculty Tübingen

This is an incredible, magnificent, and colossal work that has ever been done in such a comprehensive and inclusive manner. The International Handbook on Creation Care and Eco-Diakonia should be recognized as the ‘Encyclopedia of Christian Perspectives on Sustainable Development’. This collection of voices written by scholars and professionals from the Global South representing all continents is by itself a unique contribution to environmental sciences.
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founder and Director of Faith for Earth Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi

To reflect about the challenges of climate change politically as well as ethically and theologically, in order to become critical actors for eco-social transformation processes in developmental policies, is a strategic concern of Bread for the World and its global partners. This master piece of broad ecumenical-ecological scholarship is exactly answering this need and priority.
Dr. Dagmar Pruin, President Bread for the World, Berlin

When Diakonia is expected to reach out to all God’s creation, we are called to be prepared to working together in God’s mission towards renewal, reconciliation and restoration of creation. It is our hope that this volume will be of great help to churches around the world. I am sure the Asian churches and the Asian ecumenical organizations who are engaged in a ministry of creation care will also benefit richly from this valuable and insightful resource on ‘Creation Care and Eco-Diakonia’.
Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary Christian Conference of Asia

This volume is one of the most diverse, contextual, yet globally relevant theological reflections I have seen on the ecumenical and interdisciplinary approach to care for the earth. Therefore, I commend this warmly as reference material for our joint ecumenical diaconal response to care for creation.
Most Rev. Panti Filibus Musa, Ph.D., Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and President, Lutheran World Federation