Relational Theology: A Critical Theological Review of Ecological Damage in the Lake Toba Area According to the Fretheim’s Perspective

Lake Toba is a volcanic-tectonic lake which is rich in natural resources. Wealth and benefits here will keep on exist and continue if humans and nature are in danger of the order of the universe that continues to be pursued together. But the reality is not always the case. Human needs are not limited to degradation of their homes, need ecological awareness that is needed to restore the existing damage. In this study, the method used is a qualitative method with critical theological research. Researchers will implement ecological damage in the Lake Toba area based on informative data. The results obtained indicate the factors causing ecological damage on the part and the parties contributing to the ecological damage are very complex and integrated with each other. This research will be reviewed through Fretheim's perspective that ecological damage in the Lake Toba region will be examined in a necessary relational theology. This theology will help us to see the relational patterns that allow humans to see the broad relations between themselves, God and non-humans. God and His creation are in the interdependence of wholeness. This review will help to critique ecological damage from revised theological studies into a reference to the destructive ecology of community. Thus, awareness of ecological damage is needed as a joint responsibility of every levels of society and the relevance of activities supported by (sustainable creation) because natural damage (Lake Toba) will increase the survival of the community, both today and in the future.Keywords: relational theology; ecological damage; Lake Toba; Fretheim's perspective.AbstrakDanau toba adalah danau vulkano-tektonik yang kaya akan sumber daya alam. Kekayaan dan kemanfaatan di dalamnya akan terus ada dan continue jika manusia dan alam berada dalam harmoni tatanan alam semesta yang terus diupayakan bersama. Namun kenyataan yang ada tidak selalu demikian. Kebutuhan manusia yang tidak terbatas mengakibatkan degradasi lingkungan terhadap tempat tinggalnya, sehingga kesadaran ekologis sangat diperlukan untuk memulihkan kerusakan yang ada. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif dengan tinjauan kritis teologis. Pada metode ini, peneliti akan mengidentifikasi kerusakan ekologi di kawasan Danau Toba berdasarkan data informatif. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa faktor-faktor penyebab kerusakan ekologi di dalamnya dan pihak-pihak yang menyumbang kerusakan ekologis terhadapnya sangat kompleks dan terintegrasi satu dengan yang lain. Penelitian ini akan ditinjau melalui perspektif Fretheim yaitu kerusakan ekologi di kawasan Danau Toba akan dikaji dalam sebuah teologi relasional penciptaan. Teologi ini akan membantu melihat pola relasional yang memungkinkan manusia melihat secara luas relasi di antara dirinya (human), Allah dan nonhuman. Allah dan ciptaan-Nya berada dalam interdepensi keutuhan ciptaan yang mencakup kerangka mutualisme. Tinjauan ini akan membantu mengkritisi kerusakan ekologi dari kajian teologis yang diduga menjadi acuan teologi ekologi masyarakat yang destruktif. Dengan demikian, diperlukan kesadaran kerusakan ekologis sebagai mutual responsibility seluruh lapisan masyarakat dan relevansi dari aktivitas penciptaan yang berkelanjutan (creation continua) karena kerusakan alam (Danau Toba) akanmempengaruhi keberlangsungan hidup masyarakat, baik hari ini maupun di masa yang akan datang.Kata kunci: teologi relasional; kerusakan ekologi; danau toba; perspektif Fretheim.

“What I’ve Seen with Your Eyes”: Relational Theology and Ways of Seeing in Blade Runner

This paper examines the theme of relational theology in the Blade Runner science fiction franchise by exploring the symbolism of eyes and sight in the films. Using the work of ecofeminist theologian Sallie McFague, we explore the contrast between the arrogant, detached eye of surveillance (what we call the “gods’ eye view”) which interprets the other-than-human world as instrumental object, and the possibility of the loving eye of awareness and attention (the “God’s eye view”) which views the other-than-human world as an equal subject with intrinsic value. How the films wrestle with what is “real” and how the other-than-human is regarded has implications for our present time as we face enormous upheavals due to climate disruption and migration and the accompanying justice issues therein. We make the case that the films are extended metaphors that provide a window on our own dystopian present which present us with choices as to how we will see the world and respond to the ecological and humanitarian crises already upon us.

A Process Theology of Hope: The Counter Apocalyptic Vision of Catherine Keller

Christianity continues to decline in the traditional west, yet is at the same time experiencing significant growth in the majority world. Research indicates that by 2060 the portion of those who identify as non-religious will decline significantly across the globe. Christianity in the future will largely be dominated by an apocalyptic eschatology that has the potential to disengage Christians from our current planetary crisis. Catherine Keller has developed a counter-apocalyptic vision that challenges traditional eschatology in its potential to disconnect faith from the planet’s most urgent challenges. Keller attacks a key facet of apocalyptic eschatology that enshrines an omnipotent deity. Her approach is evaluated within the broader process-relational theology from which she has emerged, particularly that influenced by Whitehead. It is argued that her eschatological alternative is best placed to offer a vision that enables Christians to take the earth seriously, to generate a chastened and realistic hope, grounded in a process relational ontology.

Three Lost Prophets: Macmurray, Smith, and Lambourne

John Macmurray, Ronald Gregor Smith, and R. A. Lambourne are three prophetic figures, whose theological work in the 20th century on the priority of interpersonal relationships and the meaning of community has been unjustifiably neglected. Their writings on the centrality of relatedness for faith demand to be rediscovered today when a relational theology is vitally needed to counter trends towards social dis-integration

Revisiting BISFT Summer School 2004, University of Bristol, ‘Embracing Diversity: Seeking Harmony’

The article presents a dialogue between Carol P. Christ and Judith Plaskow. It argues that a process metaphysic provides an alternative to the Christian liberation paradigm and could help feminists in religion to articulate alternatives to the concept of God as a dominant male other found in classical theism. A shared metaphysic could help feminists in different religious traditions to recognize common concerns and commitments, to guard against claims of uniqueness and exclusivity of religious traditions, and to engage with the complexities of diversity. Anticipating arguments against a feminist process paradigm, the dialogue addresses further questions: Is the idea of divinity as unfailing sympathy too good to be true? How do we explain bad things happening – is divinity evil as well as good? How does a process idea of divine sympathy differ from the traditional notions of God as love? Other issues considered are: self-sacrifice as love; the place of anger in a relational theology; co-creation and power with versus over. In conclusion the author suggests that the foundation of a shared spiritual feminist ethic would be understanding that life in the body is to be enjoyed by all and accepting responsibility to co-create a more just and harmonious world.

Emptiness and Presence in a Non-substantialist Formulation of Trinitarian Doctrine

This paper examines the ideas of emptiness (śūnyatā) and presence (svabhāva) in the discourses of Indian Madhyamika thinkers in comparison with the work of prominent Kyoto School philosopher and key figure in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, Masao Abe (1915–2006). Madhyamika’s negative dialectic and Abe’s oeuvre are applied to the trinitarian theology of Scottish theologian and churchman Thomas Forsyth Torrance (1913–2007), even as Torrance’s oeuvre is allowed to recast and illuminate notions of emptiness in light of the trinitarian faith. In this movement of ideas, the dynamic interpretations and reinterpretations of the doctrine of emptiness by Indian thinkers are brought to bear on Abe’s thought and, in turn, on Torrance’s trinitarian theology. In this way, the metaphysical basis of trinitarian doctrine is drawn into sharper focus even as an emptiness-based, non-substantialist, onto-relational theology of the Trinity emerges as a potentially viable account of the nature of the triune Godhead.