Eleanor Babcock
9/25/15
Climate and Theology

Theology, the study of the nature of god and biblical texts, is very closely related to nature and climate change. First of all, the pure definition of theology has the word nature included in it. This type of nature focuses on behavior and disposition, however, it is slightly ironic that nature as a word in a working definition links so closely to other aspects of theology. Theological study of climate change comes in many different forms. It can be linked through biblical text or through spiritual practices. For this blog, I'd like to focus on relating one of the Benedictine values to climate change. The Benedictine values are values which our school holds close. By comparing our values rooted in God to climate studies localizes the topic for me.

The Benedictine value of stewardship states that "we value all creation." This value stems from the story of creation found in Genesis. This means that everything given to us in finite and must be used in a valued way. Nature, our families, and resources have been given to us to use but not destroy. Humanity has developed a keen mind which has allowed for development. Our development of society today has exceeded our planetary limits and is beginning to see destruction in many aspects of life. We are using the resources given to us, however, our use is beginning to decrease and we are seeing many negative environmental impacts. One of these impacts is climate change.

Climate change is causing out planet to warm. We as a community of stewards have not fulfilled the benedictine value of stewardship. Because this value rings true to the CSB/SJU community there are things we can do to be good stewards and fulfill this value. We can use more sustainable transportation, using the Link instead of driving personal vehicles between campuses. This would save energy and  lower carbon emissions thus making a more positive impact on our earth's climate. Other means of ecologically friendly activities which would help us to be good stewards of creation can be recycling, composting and sustainably growing crops. If our campus teams together to instigate change in a healthy way, then our relationship with theological practices through being good stewards will reduce the negative, harmful impacts of climate change.