voices-2013-2&3 - EATWOT's International Theological Commission

· 89Walking in the GardenReflections on religion, God and the environmentHazel O. AyangaMoi University, Eldoret, KenyaIntroductionThe twenty first century challenges us with many complexities. Thisis exemplified by issues like climate change; diseases like HIV and AIDSas well as rampant political upheavals. Apart from rampant spread of diseases,contemporary society is faced by an ecological crisis that threatensto bring the entire creation to its knees.The discourse on this crisis has involved players from practicallyall sectors of society and academic disciplines. However, the Church andpeople of faith in general have been slow in coming to the discussiontable. This may be a reflection on what the beliefs and the perceptionsbelievers have especially about the place of God in the environment andin environmental management. It also may be a reflection of what believersperceive to be their own role in the crisis. The Church has been unsureof the nature of its participation in the discourse and indeed whethertheology has anything to offer to environmental management. This in partis what this paper is about. Does religion in general and Christian beliefsand perspectives in particular have anything to contribute to a positiveunderstanding of the environment; do the Christian scriptures have anythingto say about the environment and its management? What should bethe basis for Christian involvement in environmental issues?The Basis of EngagementQuestions about the environment and the Christian’s involvementin it are simple enough. However the answers are not so simple. They getentangled in other socio-economic and political variables that are at playin the discussion. But why should the community of faith be concerned