Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China

This article explores ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024 through the lens of Stephen B. Bevans’ contextual theology. By analysing its reception, it becomes clear that a distinctly contextualised ecological theology has not yet emerged in China. Considering this gap, the article...

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Main Author: Haoran Zhang
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2024-12-01
Series:HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10245
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author Haoran Zhang
author_facet Haoran Zhang
author_sort Haoran Zhang
collection DOAJ
description This article explores ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024 through the lens of Stephen B. Bevans’ contextual theology. By analysing its reception, it becomes clear that a distinctly contextualised ecological theology has not yet emerged in China. Considering this gap, the article examines potential directions for Chinese ecological theology across four dimensions of contextual theology. The academic and religious communities should focus on diversified yet overlapping approaches to develop Chinese ecological theology collaboratively. From the perspective of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilisations, Chinese ecological theology should adopt ‘synthetic model’ to integrate traditional Chinese concepts of ‘Heaven-Nature-Human’ and respond to both local and global challenges. A synthetic model of Chinese ecological theology could become a significant voice in the international theological community, contributing to global sustainable prosperity. Contribution: This article makes two contributions. Firstly, it provides a systematic review and reflection on ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024. Secondly, it highlights the future development directions and models of Chinese ecological theology from the perspective of contextual theology.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0259-9422
2072-8050
language Afrikaans
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series HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
spelling doaj-art-6e4f1a9be1fb41cca2b9b46c6fd351d02024-12-18T12:38:10ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502024-12-01801e1e910.4102/hts.v80i1.102456064Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in ChinaHaoran Zhang0Institute of Sino Christian Studies, Hong Kong, China; and Faculty of Arts, The Chinese University of Arts, Hong KongThis article explores ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024 through the lens of Stephen B. Bevans’ contextual theology. By analysing its reception, it becomes clear that a distinctly contextualised ecological theology has not yet emerged in China. Considering this gap, the article examines potential directions for Chinese ecological theology across four dimensions of contextual theology. The academic and religious communities should focus on diversified yet overlapping approaches to develop Chinese ecological theology collaboratively. From the perspective of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilisations, Chinese ecological theology should adopt ‘synthetic model’ to integrate traditional Chinese concepts of ‘Heaven-Nature-Human’ and respond to both local and global challenges. A synthetic model of Chinese ecological theology could become a significant voice in the international theological community, contributing to global sustainable prosperity. Contribution: This article makes two contributions. Firstly, it provides a systematic review and reflection on ecological theology in mainland China from 1990 to 2024. Secondly, it highlights the future development directions and models of Chinese ecological theology from the perspective of contextual theology.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10245ecological theologychinareceptioncontextual theologydiversity
spellingShingle Haoran Zhang
Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
ecological theology
china
reception
contextual theology
diversity
title Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
title_full Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
title_fullStr Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
title_full_unstemmed Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
title_short Diversity, complementarity and synergy: The reception of ecological theology in China
title_sort diversity complementarity and synergy the reception of ecological theology in china
topic ecological theology
china
reception
contextual theology
diversity
url https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10245
work_keys_str_mv AT haoranzhang diversitycomplementarityandsynergythereceptionofecologicaltheologyinchina