“If Jesus is born now, he would first save the ruined environment” – Ecological Civilization in Korea Project
“If Jesus is born now, he would first save the ruined environment”
ecocivkorea2018년 December 4일conference, news
https://news.joins.com/article/23053424
Interview with international ecological theologian John Cobb
Christian salvation is not individualistic
The greatest threat in our age is the worship of money
The salvation of the whole earth requires religious solidarity
“The universe is interconnected” accept evolutionism and Buddhism
Influence on Chinese Communist Party’s Ecological Declaration
All belief systems, including philosophy, religion, and ideology, continue to change and evolve. The conservative insistence on maintaining the purity of heritage from founders and doctrines often fail to meet the practical need to adjust to worldly changes. But if there is excessive deviation from those earliest teachings, there is a need for ‘conservative innovation’ as well as ‘progressive innovation’ in order to restore original intentions.
The process philosophy · process theology developed by English philosopher-mathematician Alfred Whitehead (1861-1947) shook the 20th century. Process philosophy · process theology claims that the universe is not a physical environment or object, but rather is created through events and processes that are experienced and understood subjectively and objectively. Additionally, each event · process is radically connected with countless other events · processes. It is estimated that there are around 1,000 Whiteheadian scholars and activists who have embraced this idea globally. They value cooperation rather than competition.
The American philosopher and theologian John B. Cobb III (93) is a representative Whiteheadian. As a retired pastor in the Methodist Church, Cobb founded the Center for Process Studies at his affiliated Claremont School of Theology, working to incorporate Whiteheadian thought into postmodernism and ecology.
John B Cobb II pursues a theology that accepts the achievements of science like evolutionary theory, a theology that converses with Buddhist thought. He is said to be the most important North American theologian alive. He also provided considerable theoretical background for the Chinese Communist Party adopting the principles of ecological civilization into its constitution in 2012. I met Dr. Cobb on his visit to Korea amidst the publication of his essays in Ten Thoughts to Save the Planet (edited and translated by Han Yun-jung). Born in 1925 in Kobe, Japan, Cobb had previously visited Korea in 1936 when he was 11 years old.
What is the relationship between Christianity and the ecological movement?
“The Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, differ fundamentally from other religions in their historical orientation. The mission of Jesus in the historical context was not limited to teaching God’s grace and human calling. For Jesus, the grace and divine calling at the heart of the Hebrew tradition was obvious. I think what Jesus truly sought was to save people from war and the Roman Empire. God also gives us a specific calling today: to save the world from self-destruction.”
Ecology was not a very important issue for Jesus or his disciples.
For almost 2000 years, ecology was not important to Christians. But once we realized we were destroying the planet, ecology became important. Because Christianity is a historical faith, the most urgent task is different according to time and space. There was a time and place in which the emancipation of slaves was the most important cause. The tremendous threat of war is a serious problem for God in every construction of time and space. I believe that the God-given calling for Koreans must be the pursuit of peace. This opportunity for dialogue must be maximized to end the belligerent attitude of inter-Korean talks.
Some people may think, what is the point of worrying about ecology when God will create a new heaven and earth after the coming of Jesus and the Final Judgment, the salvation of the individual is more important.
“Such a claim is a very strange interpretation of Jesus’ or Paul’s remarks. It is not a healthy response to God’s call. The focus of the New Testament is not extreme individualism. I think the message of Jesus is oriented towards all Jews, and Paul’s message towards the whole world. Focusing only on personal salvation leaves no way of expressing neighborly love.
What is the future direction of the ecological movement?
Ecological civilization. The use of the expression, ‘ecological civilization’ clarifies the crucial point that every aspect of civilization must change. The foundation of our present civilization is not God but the worship of money. The worship of money is idolatry.
Is your call for a religionized ecology?
It was not Christianity that dominated the life of Medieval people. I call their religion Christianism, not Christianity. It was a kind of ideology. At the heart of Christianity was the Church and related institutions, not God. And for centuries after that, the prevailing religion was nationalism. Today’s religion is economism. Everything is quantified and measured by money. Even the government, especially the U.S. government, works for money. I hope that this economicism will be replaced by Earthism. The whole earth must be our concern. I do not think Earthism is a religion. I want Christians to become Earthists, not worship the Bible or the Church or the economy or the nation. I hope not only Christians, but also Buddhist and Muslim believers can become Earthists. Christians alone can not save the planet. In order to save the planet, we must recruit as many partners as possible.”
What role can Korea and Asia play?
“East Asia has tremendous potential to lead the international process philosophy movement. This is because of language. Unlike Indo-European languages, East Asian languages, including Korean, emphasize events rather than objects. On the other hand, it is very difficult to avoid objectification in English. The Buddha opposed the objectification of the Indian language. This is why there is common ground to be found between process philosophy and the Buddhist tradition.”
Kim Hwan Young, expert reporter
whanyung@joongang.co.kr
