Sustainability of Nature and Mission of the Church: Towards an integral Echo-Theology:

On another occasion also Solomon’s model was outrightly rejected by Jesus (Luke 11:31). In a conversation with people Jesus referred the wisdom of King Solomon and the visits of Queen of Sheba “On Judgement Day the Queen of Sheba will stand up and accused the people of today, because she travelled all the way from her country to listen to King Solomon’s wise teaching; and I tell you there is something here greater than Solomon” (Lk.11:31). What does history tell us about Solomon? His great power and fascinating wisdom led the nation into civil war and ended up in conquest and exile. Jesus emphatically says that here is a person greater than Solomon. That means one should not follow the value system of Solomon where everything that was big was beautiful and fascinating. Jesus himself asked the people look at him and see the new alternative practice of life which promotes peace, Justice and integrity of creation. We need some kind of discernment about what is genuinely valuable and sustainable.

All these texts are providing tools for cultivating counter imaginations to discern the complexities of our time. We need counter imagination to overcome the meta narrations of the present capital-utilitarian oriented world. Our social realm has become more complex and fragmented. The capital and market are having complete sway over people and all areas of human life have been brought under their control. WCC former General Secretary Konrad Raiser points out that “increasing numbers of people are being excluded from the ‘one world’ of this integrated system, condemned to mere survival on its fringes. Globalization symbolizes a form of human power, which can no longer be controlled. Because the global economic and financial system recognize no limits - whether of national boundaries, political sovereignty or ecological sustainability - it finally becomes self-destructive”

In the light our meditation some common concerns are shared for further reflection.

1. Learn to live within the limits

Modern world is growth-oriented and unlimited growth is its goal. Our modern economic system is a cruel parody of biblical jubilee vision. We have indeed created a situation of “scarcity” in nature because of our relentless plundering of the land and its gifts. At the same time, capitalism has demonstrated incredible ingenuity and capacity to manufacture “artificial abundance” (think of 30 kinds of cereal or toothpaste at your local supermarket). There is enough, but it is no longer a gift of creation. Rather, it is a marketed commodity, which by definition does not circulate equitably to everyone. Our refusal to limit our appetites has drained natural abundance, and our artificial abundance belongs to the few. This is not ironic; It is idolatrous. Humanity is part of God’s creation. It is placed within the limits of finitude, ultimately under the limits of death. Hence, we the human beings, individually and collectively, must learn to live within limits.

2. Learn to live with nature

On many grounds, we are at a crossroads. Our mere survival is on trial and faces deep crisis. Consequences of climate change are making deep inroads in our daytoday life. Historian Eric Hobsbawm concluded his famous book The Age of Extremes with a warning: “We do not know where we are going. We only know that history has brought us to this point. However, one thing is plain. If humanity is to have a recognizable future, it cannot be by prolonging the past or the present. If we try to build the third millennium on that basis, we shall fail. And the price of failure, that is to say, the alternative to a changed society, is darkness.” We have to take nature seriously and build a counter practice to live with nature. Humanity has no choice but to develop ways to live with nature in order to sustain the integrity of creation.

3. Learn to live in relationship

The basic notion of life is that nobody can live alone for a long time. Life is possible only in relationship. As finite, physical creatures, we are dependent upon those around us. -human and nonhuman for our survival. If we go without water for more than three days or without food more than three weeks, our vital organs and systems shut down, and we die. We cannot guarantee, on our own, that we will have a constant supply of water or a consistent source of food. In order to live, therefore, we are radically dependent on others. According to Howard Thurman, the great inspiration of civil rights movement, “Human beings, all human beings belong to each other, and anyone who shuts himself away diminishes himself, and anyone who shuts another away from themselves destroys himself”. Mutuality and reciprocity are the two components behind the organizing principles of the Universe. It is our failure to grasp the way the universe works. Bishop Desmond Tutu once said: “We can be safe only together, we can be prosperous only together, we can survive only together, we can be human only together. How can we learn to accept ‘others’ in their difference, not as a threat, but as a potential enrichment? “As a faith community let us ponder how to re-read and respond to these challenges posed by Jesus two thousand years ago.

*Revd Oommen V. Varkey, Priest in the Mar Thoma Church. He taught Social Analysis in Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam. Former director of TMAM Research and Orientation Centre, Kottayam and JMM Study Centre, Trivandrum.