The Bible, Ecology and Sustainability

Programme

Ecological crisis is one of the most crucial challenges needing combined response in the last decades, now and the most immediate future. In the critical discussion regarding its roots as well as religion’s contribution to address it, biblical scholars have turned to the biblical text and its interpretation through the ages, searching for possible misinterpretations that supported ideologically the environmental exploitation and degradation. They also developed different methodological models for reading the biblical text from an ecological perspective. Given the pressing global ecological crisis, the research unit would like to continue the critical and inter-/multi-/trans-disciplinary exploration of the Bible and ecology and to link these two to the larger project of sustainability.

 

 The research unit aims to:

  • Explore and employ various methodological trends in reading well-known and uncharted biblical and early Christian texts from ecological and sustainability perspectives.
  • Analyse the use of these texts from the global perspectives of various stakeholders including but not limited to biblical scholars.
  • Encourage dialogue and synergy with various groups from different global locations, within and beyond biblical exegesis.
  • Develop pedagogical strategies in exegesis, theology, and religious education for effective response to pressing pastoral challenges of the climate crisis and sustainability.

Keywords:

Bible, Hermeneutics, Ecological Crisis, Sustainability, Ecumenical/Interreligious Dialogue

Current Term:

2023-2027

Chairs

Ma. Maricel S. Ibita
Ateneo de Manila University

Ma. Marilou S. Ibita
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and De la Salle University-Manila 

Ekaterini Tsalampouni
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki


Member Area

Sofia 2024 Call for Papers

Poverty, Hunger, Ecology, and Sustainability in the Bible

The World Food Program describes a shocking report about the world’s hunger situation in 2023: “Conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes and soaring fertilizer prices are combining to create a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. As many as 783 million people are unsure of where their next meal is coming from. We have a choice: act now to save lives and invest in solutions that secure food security, stability and peace for all, or see people around the world facing rising hunger.”

The Bible is also filled with stories of poverty, famine, and hunger due to issues linked to war, economic hardships, and environmental challenges. In the same way, biblical texts narrating hospitality, food sharing, food-related miracles stories, and even Jesus identifying himself in the gospels as food also abound. In all of these instances, women and children are either the most affected or those who endeavor to find ways to share provisions. 

The research unit the Bible, Ecology and Sustainability 2024 call for papers focuses on biblical texts which deal with Poverty, Hunger, Ecology, and Sustainability that can bring these texts into a dialogue with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (more particularly, UNSDG 1 & 2). The sessions will include invited papers and open call papers. Furthermore, there will be joint sessions with the research group Johannine Literature and the Graeco-Roman Society and the New Testament.