QUAERENS: Journal of Theology and Christianity Studies Vol.
No.
1, (June 2.
: 1-18 DOI: 10.
46362/quaerens.
PARTICIPATORY ECOLOGICAL THEOLOGY:
The Ecological Theological Perspective of John B.
Cobb Jr.
Renzhong Cui Minzu University of China.
Beijing.
China Email: cuirenzhong1123@163.
Submitted: 3 April 2023 Revision: 7 February 2024 Published: 1 July 2024 Abstract John B.
Cobb Jr.
, a well-known theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist in the United States, has developed his participatory ecological theology from process philosophy to process theology.
Some scholars believe it belongs to a distorted form of anthropocentrism, while others suggest it belongs to biocentrism.
This study seeks to explore how participatory ecological theology from the perspective of John B.
Cobb.
Jr.
based on a participatory ecological approach to the discourse of environmental ethical methods, especially from a theological perspective.
However, through CobbAos attention to and exploration of environmental crises and interactions with other environmentalists, his ecological theology is shown to be a new form of participatory ecological theology that recognizes the intrinsic value of all existence and affirms the participatory ecological order of nature.
He challenges the traditional Christian doctrine of AudominionAy.
He points to a more responsible concept for humanity, that is, to serve all parts of the natural world as responsible creations, just as serving God.
Keywords:
Process philosophy.
Process theology.
Ecological theology.
Ecological John B.
Cobb.
Jr.
INTRODUCTION
John B.
Cobb.
Jr.
5-) is an American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist who is an outstanding scholar in the fields of process philosophy and process theology .
philosophical movement associated with WhiteheadAos philosoph.
According to Gary Dorrien, he is considered one of the two most important theologians in North America in the 20th century.
Cobb has written extensively, including books such as Is It Too Late? A Theology of Ecology.
For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future.
Liberation of Life: From the Cell to the Community, and Challenge to Economism: A Theological Critique of the World Bank.
Cobb is known for his interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from various fields of study and bringing different disciplinary perspectives into productive The recurring theme in CobbAos work is the emphasis on the interconnectedness of ecological interdependence - with each part of the ecosystem relying on other parts.
Cobb believes that the most urgent task for humanity is to protect Participatory Ecological TheologyARenzhong the world on which he depends for survival, a sentiment that Whitehead describes as Auworld-loyaltyAy.
The process philosophy in the Whitehead tradition is often regarded as primarily an American philosophical movement, but it has become global and has attracted great interest from Chinese thinkers.
As one of the leaders in the field of process philosophy.
Cobb has played an important role in bringing process philosophy to the East, particularly in helping China develop a more ecological civilization.
It is widely known that sustainable development has been written into the Chinese Constitution and Party Charter.
Under CobbAos leadership, the China Institute for Postmodern Development was established in 2005, with the founders looking to China as the hope for our planet.
They believe that China plays a unique leadership role in resisting various forms of hegemony in todayAos world and realizing the process of postmodern transformation.
The institute aims to invite talents from home and abroad, bridge Chinese and Western cultures, integrate scientific and humanistic knowledge, and expand research on ChinaAos ecological civilization, constructive postmodern studies, process philosophy, and sustainable development within the new era, in order to promote the transformation of human civilization towards postmodernity.
In terms of academic activities, the institute has organized more than 100 large-scale international conferences with wide-ranging impacts, including the AuRural Civilization ForumAy co-sponsored with the National School of Administration of China.
The Claremont Ecological Civilization International Forum, co-organized with the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, has had 12 sessions since 2006 and has had a significant positive impact both domestically and In addition, the institute has organized the translation and publication of major works on Western constructive postmodern and process philosophy, and has served as the chief editor of World Culture Forum News and China Process Studies, among other In terms of organizational structure, the institute has established branches such as the Center for Ecological Civilization Studies.
Center for Corporate Social Responsibility Studies, and Center for Sustainable Urbanization Studies.
It has also 1 The Institute for Postmodern Development of China.
AuAbout us.
Ay April 27-28, 2018, https://postmodernchina.
org/CN/home.
html#about-us.
2 Martin Savransky.
"Ecological uncivilisation: Precarious world-making after progress.
" The Sociological Review, 70, no.
2 (.
: 367-384, https://doi.
org/10.
1177/00380261221084782.
3 The Institute for Postmodern Development of China.
AuAbout us.
Ay QUAERENS: Journal of Theology and Christianity Studies.
Vol.
No.
June 2024 established more than 30 sub-centers in mainland China to conduct specialized research on ecological civilization, process philosophy, sustainable development, and postmodern agriculture, making China the largest academic force in the world in the study of ecological civilization, postmodern research, and process exploration.
CobbAos vision of China leading the world in ecological civilization has garnered the attention of the highest leaders of the Party and the state.
Recently, a reporter from Xinhua News Agency interviewed Dr.
Cobb and President Xi Jinping personally gave instructions on the report, expressing his hope that relevant parties would pay attention to it.
After the historic China Ecological Civilization Conference in May 2018, 4 Cobb once again expressed his support for China in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, emphasizing that AuChina is bringing a ray of hope to global ecological civilization.
The practical actions of the Chinese government and society in promoting ecological civilization have been praised by Cobb as an important contribution to the sustainable development of human civilization.
This study aims to explore how participatory ecological theology from the perspective of John B.
Cobb.
Jr.
based on a participatory ecological approach to the discourse of environmental ethical methods, especially from a theological perspective.
Through Cobb's attention to and exploration of environmental crises and interactions with other environmentalists, his ecological theology is shown to be a new form of participatory ecological theology that recognizes the intrinsic value of all existence and affirms the participatory ecological order of nature.
This paper examines key aspects of Cobb's ecological theology, including his use of process philosophy, emphasis on interconnectedness and non-hierarchical relations, critique of anthropocentrism, and advocacy for an inclusive, eco-friendly, and sustainable world.
DISCUSSION