Conference paper
ECOLOGY: A CHALLENGE FOR CHRISTIANITY
Luka Tomašević
; Faculty of Catholic Theology, Split
Abstract
Contemporary world is under the pressure of multiple problems, among which the environmental problem is certainly not the smallest one. A blind development and technological progress must not be the most important in the human life, because they can lead to a global catastrophy for everyone on the Earth.
Modern theology shows exceptional interest for worldwide environmental issues, so that a new brach of theology has emerged. It can be labelled as ecotheology. Ecotheology tries to explore the ways of how man should live harmoniously in the house of the world.
Christan churches early perceived the environmental problem pointing out at the fact that the environmental problem is actually one of the moral problems of our times. At the same time, Churches invite all Christans and people of good will to engage in building up a better and fairer world.
This consciousness is particulary expressed in the perception of the world and man in Catholic theology and teaching of its popes. Pope John Paul II. points out at the deep moral crisis of the modern man which also results in the environmental crisis. Attitudes and life–style should be transformed, and the world and man should be respected as gifts of God. This is an original and the only just way, as St. Francis of Assisi has shown.
Today many people do not feel the beauty of the world and life, and feel superfluous and isolated, living on the brinks of life, cheated and manipulated. They see their enemies everywhere, especially among their fellow men. It is those people that should be helped to rediscover the beauty of the world and life, so to start loving and living together with everyone.
Keywords
alliance; Christ; Christian churches; Chistianity; creature; the created; development; ecology; ecotheology; image; man; moral theology; nature; Pope; revelation; society; theology
Hrčak ID:
141723
URI
Publication date:
15.1.2000.
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