Moltmann's theology of creation : its relevance for African context with reference to the ecological crisis

Abstract

The Environmental crisis is becoming a more serious life-threatening phenomenon in Africa. The Physical environment is deteriorating, thus affecting the socioeconomic life of the people. The continent's ecosystems have been upset. As the result of this change of weather patterns, desertification, soil erosion, deforestation, water po11ution and many other environmental issues have increased to an alarming degree. As a reaction to these strange environmental developments, Governmental a number of secular institutions including as well as Non-governmental bodies have responded with ideas and programmes which are meant to bring solution to the problem. While all those bodies are working for a change, the fundamental question is, what kind of change will bring about the desired results? Is it a change of environment or a change of man who causes the environmental crisis that is important? The writer of this thesis agrees with Moltmann that the environmental crisis we are experiencing in our society today has a religious dimension which can only be handled by the Church. By developing the right theology to deal with problem, the Church will help man to know also his the Creator, his relationship with the Creator, and relationship with the rest of creation. Spiritual change is essential for man to realize what he Development". Thus the first two chapters deal theology calls "Sustainable of conservation developed by Moltmann.degree of theological relationship to the African with Then the situation is explored, resulting in the action needed by the Christian Church in Africa to solve these problems rather than anthropocentric stand point.