Blog Action Day: Christ and the Environment

Lately in the Christian world there has been an increasing debate over environmentalism. Some would like to include environmentalism among the other political issues Christians feel are important. Others reject environmentalism as an unnecessary distraction- for various and sundry reasons.

As with most opinions on controversial topics the complexity of reasons can only be surpassed by the diversity of opinions. In order to better understand the reasons behind various Christian perspectives towards the environment I would like to filter the opinions through the eyes of H. Richard Niebuhr.

Niebuhr was an American theologian who is perhaps best known for his typology describing the various ways Christians engage their culture. In his seminal book on this subject, Christ and Culture, Niebuhr divides Christianity into five different perspectives based upon how they might approach their culture.

Back to the topic of the day: how would a proponent of one of Niebuhr’s particular categories approach then environment as an issue?

Christ Against Culture

This perspective believes that Christians should avoid all contact with their culture in order to prevent the influence of culture in their following of Jesus. A proponent of this perspective would believe that the environment should not be a concern of Christians. They might claim that concern for the environment is a result of “new age” or “Darwinist” philosophies that they do not want to “infect” their beliefs.

Christ of Culture

This perspective believes that Christians should consider the influence of culture. A proponent of this perspective might argue that good Christians are good environmentalists.

Christ Above Culture

This perspective uses culture to promote Christ. Someone characterized by this perspective might use a culture’s interest in environmentalism to bring people into the Church.

Christ and Culture in Paradox

This perspective attempts to keep culture and Christ from intersecting. For example, someone might promote environmentalism in their home or business life but think it is nothing the Church should be concerned about.

Christ Transforming Culture

This perspective is motivated by their Christian love to make the world a better place for everyone. They might see how neglect of the environment has implications for health and quality of life and because of the Christian belief to “love your neighbor as yourself” would work to promote environmental activism.

You can think of these perspectives in a couple different ways. Christ Against the Environment and Christ and the Environment in Paradox both agree that culture can negatively influence their pursuit of salvation by Christ. On the other hand Christ of the Environment and Christ Above the Environment believe that culture can be embraced as followers of Christ.

The other way of thinking about this is that Christ Against the Environment and Christ of the Environment are primarily concerned about ethical obligations while Christ Above the Environment and Christ and the Environment in Paradox are more concerned about eternal salvation.

Only Christ Transforming the Environment holds the balance between letting the environment dominate Christianity and avoiding it altogether. Although this perspective is not completely consumed with ethical living, it is not solely consumed with the life here-after as well. A great example of this is the recent move by the Roman Catholic church to promote environmental ideals. This morning, NPR had a story explaining how the Vatican’s promotion of the environment is affecting its members in the Philippines. Although I am not a Roman Catholic, I have to be amazed by the difference this could make throughout the world if the rest of the Church would follow this example and allow Christ to transform the environment.