The Dynamics of Dealing with Environmental Volatilities: Role of Church in Promoting Justice and Sustainable Development
Author : Chingozha MP, Chingozha Y, Nhembo G, Zhou A and Matwaya Y
Abstract :
The effectiveness of the Church as a vehicle for promoting peace, stability, progress, justice and sustainable development is a contested field.[Marava, 2024; Asante, 2012; Mahiya & Murisi, 2022] There are mixed views and sentiments on the subject among preachers, social and political commentators. Within many pockets of Africa, the Church has been identified more with colonization than peace and justice. [Jean & Comasroff, 1997; Desmond Tutu,] According to Smith, Christianity in Sub Saharan Africa has increased yet the increase in Christianization in the eyes of many has not translated to peace and stability. During the last four decades for instance, politically instigated and ethically motivated conflicts or clashes have witnessed an upward trend. In the majority of cases these resulted in the damage of a lot of property and loss of lives of vulnerable people that included children.
The heightened level of Evangelization from the lens of many social commentators has regrettably not translated into more peace and harmony which is exactly what Christ teaches and the sole reason why church was born. Instead, conflicts and their ravaging effects have been witnessed across Africa and beyond. In some instances, the clergy have been involved. This position is at cross purposes with the teaching of the Church and one wonders how the Church finds itself entwined or implicated in such circles. When the Church fails to promote peace, stability and progress within communicates there are views that it would have lost its value. The church and its entire membership are supposed to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Once the behaviors not consistent with the scriptural teachings start happening the Church would have lost its saltness. Ultimately it loses its distinctiveness, influence and effectiveness as a moral champion or moral preservative making it invalid to stand as a spiritual link for humanity.
Keywords :
Environmental volatilities, dynamics, Justice, Sustainable development.
