Science and wisdom

Theology Today, Jul 2001 by Moltmann, Jurgen

The Greek word oikoumene means "the whole inhabited circle of the earth." From this idea, we can move to the goal of a "habitable earth" and a humankind to be indigenized in this earth-system. The household of the earth should be prepared to give a home and a function for the human race as well as it has given home and function for the whole of the other species. "Every ant knows the formula of its ant-hill, every bee knows the formula of its beehive. They know it in their own way, not in our way. Only humankind does not know its formula," said Dostoevsky. If there is a humane goal for the progress and globalization of power, it must be this indigenization of human beings in the earth-system. For the earth can survive without human beings and did so for millions of years. Human beings cannot live without the earth, however, because it is out of earth that we are taken, and we shall return to the earth. Human beings are dependent on the earth-system, but the earth-system is not dependent on humans. It follows from this that human civilization must be integrated into the earth-system, and not the opposite, where nature is subjugated by human domination.

Only strangers exploit nature, denude forests, fish out the seas, and then, like nomads, move on. The inhabitants of those regions, however, will defend the livability of the land, sea, and air. Many conflicts between economic and ecological interests today are conflicts between foreign corporations and inhabitants of the regions. What is the attitude of humanity as a whole toward nature: Are we strangers or inhabitants?

The always further-developing scientific and technological potential of humanity need not be employed in a destructive battle for power but can also be used for the sustainable livability of the earth. Then this perishable world is not only protected but further developed toward its goal, which is given with the creation and the appearance of the human race on this earth. This earth-system is destined to become the "common home" of all the earth-creatures and shall become home for the community of all the living beings.

In this respect, we should also remember that this life-system of the blue planet is not our property, but property of its creator. The earth is God's property (Psalm 24), because the earth shall become the home of God also: "on earth as it is in heaven."

When the Eternal One comes to dwell on the earth, then the earth will become the "temple" of God, and the restless God of hope and history will come to God's "rest." This is the great biblical-Jewish and Christian-- vision for the earth. It is the final promise: "See, the home of God is among the mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples" (Rev 21:3). If this final "Shekinah" (cosmic indwelling of God) is the divine future of the earth, then we must already, here and now, deal with the earth as the "temple of God" and keep all earth-creatures holy. We are not "lords and owners" of the earth but perhaps, one day, the priests of the earth, representing God before the earth and the earth before God, until we "see and taste" God's presence in all things, perceive all things in the coming glory of God, and join the cosmic praise of God.