— Analysis of The UMC Statement On the Environment  —

                               The United Methodist Church's Statement on the Natural World

                                                                       Summary and Analysis

                                                                          By Donald Williams

     The United Methodist's Church's (UMC) statement on the environment is comprehensive and well crafted. Primarily based on a stewardship model of creation care, it begins with acknowledging the Divine origins of the created order and advocates humankind's deontological responsibility to care for and respect the handiwork of the Lord. Although the UMC's statement is impressive in its breadth and scope of environmental concerns, it is weak in providing pragmatic solutions to grave and ominous threats to the earth. It also would benefit greatly by the incorporation of priestly and virtue models of creation care.

                                                                                SUMMARY

     The United Methodist Church's statement on the natural world, found in the Book of Discipline (BOD), rightfully begins with acknowledging the Divine origins of the created order. It asserts that all creation is the Lord's and employs a deontological argument concerning everyone's duty in respect to it. It asserts that we "must meet these stewardship responsibilities through acts of loving care and respect". Moreover, the statement acknowledges the ongoing tensions between technological advancements in the modern world and its significant effects on the biosphere:

                    However, these developments have led to regional defoliation, dramatic

                    extinction of species, massive human suffering, overpopulation and misuse

                    and overconsumption of natural and renewable resources, particularly

                    by industrialized societies.

In response to these significant threats, the UMC encourages all of its members to make environmental care and sustainability of natural resources a high priority.

                                 Summary of Statements on Water, Air, Soil, Minerals, Plants

       The UMC is committed to helping to develop policies that govern the proper disposal of industrial waste and byproducts. Its is particularly concerned about the disposal of nuclear waste and other toxics produced by industry. Ideally, the UMC would like to see nuclear power and phased out as viable energy option, mainly because of the extreme difficulties in safely storing nuclear waste.

     The UMC is committed to the clean up polluted streams air and soil, the preservation of old growth forrest and the protection of delicate ecosystems. It supports the use of alternatives to dangerous chemicals typically used in the growing and production of food. The UMC also supports resist current trends of the commodification of water resources and encourages formal studies of its effects on society.

                                    Summary of Statements on Energy Resource Utilization

     The Book of Discipline's statement of energy consumption is multifaceted in its objectives. Specifically, it aims to limit overall energy consumption individual by individual. It calls for every person to limit their C02 emissions to one tonne per year. Secondly, it advocates for the development of renewable forms of energy. Moreover, it acknowledges the limitations of negative impacts of carbon forms of energy. Carbon forms of energy are a major contributor to global warming and the related consequences of warmer seas and climates. The BOD also asserts that nuclear power is not a viable option C02 emissions because of potential safety issues.

                                                                          Animal Life

     The UMC is committed to the humane treatment of all animals, to include wild, domestic and research animals. It recognizes the often negative impact of humankind on the fragile eco systems upon which many animals depend. Recognizing the symbiotic relationships between humans and animals, the UMC is dedicated to developing policies and procedures that encourage the protection and thriving of ecosystems worldwide.

                                                           Global Climate Stewardship

      The Book of Discipline acknowledges the significant effect of greenhouse gases on the biosphere. Major industrialization since the 19th century has led to increased use of fossil fuels, resulting in the release and trapping of major toxins into the earth's atmosphere. The greenhouse effect threatens to "alter the earth's climate for generations to come." TheUMC fully acknowledges that the greenhouse effect caused by industrialized nations can have negative effects on less industrialized nations as well. This utilitarian/consequentialism perspective recognizes the unintended consequences of moral decisions industrializes nations make about modern manufacturing. The UMC unequivocally endorses governmental policies that work towards the reduction of greenhouse gases by all businesses and individuals.

                                                                Science and Technology

     The Book of Discipline recognizes the significant contributions of science to increasing humanities understanding of the created order. It fully acknowledges the scientific community's right to make claims concerning scientific matters. However, it doesn't believe the scientific community has the right to make claims about theological matters. The UMC doesn't find science and theology to be inherently conflicting disciplines, but rather complementary disciplines that deepen our understanding of the world. Thus, the Book of Discipline asserts:

                       We find that as science expands human understanding of the world

                       our understanding of the natural world, our understanding of the

                       mysteries of creation are enhanced.

Recognizing the value of the sciences and theology, the UMC encourages dialogue between these two communities to increase our thriving in the polis.

                                                                          Food Safety

     The UMC fully supports policies that safeguard the nation's food supply from harmful elements. Essentially, it believes that all foodstuffs should be safe to consume. In support these principals, the UMC encourages independent testing of food to ensure it is free from the residue of chemicals used in their growth. This includes testing for dangerous levels of hormones, steroids and other potential toxins used in animal growth and food production. The UMC also calls for the clear labeling of food products so that consumers know what ingredients are in their foods.

                                                        ANALYSIS/RECOMMENDATIONS

     Although the Book of Discipline's introductory paragraph on environmental care is an accurate theological and scientific assessment of environmental threats, it falls short of providing pragmatic ways in which individuals can significantly curb humankind's negative impact on the environment. The statement would be much more effective if it didn't just address the theoretical aspects of creation care and concretized practical measures individuals and churches can take to address the threats to the environment.

     The Book of Discipline's statements on the natural world also could be strengthen by broadening the scope of its analysis. Currently, the primary lens through which it view the natural world is the Stewardship Model. Although helpful, the Stewardship model only provides one perspective on the way we should should think about humankind's symbiotic relationship with the created order. The inclusion of other perspectives such as the Virtue Model of creation care would provide new perspectives. A focus on developing ecological virtues such as those advocated by ecologist Steven Bouma-Prediger. These virtues include: Respect and Receptivity; Self Restraint and FrugalityHumility and Honesty; Wisdom and Hope; Patience and Serenity; Benevolence and Love; Justice and Courage. A focus on these virtues can inspire individuals to overcome passions/sins of gluttony, avarice, pride and lust. Indeed, slavery to our passions on every level is antithetic of the Christian telos to have the Imago Dei restored within all us.

     The addition of a priestly on creation care, as common in the Orthodox tradition, would also add more breadth and depth to Book of Discipline's statement of creation care. The Priestly Model is based on the concept of the world as being a big cosmic eucharist, where humankind are the priests. As the Eucharist is central to the Christian life, a sacramental approach to the earth should be central to the Christian experience. The manner in which we treat the earth is a direct reflection of our relationship with the Divine. Orthodox Theologian Alexander Schmemann provides further insight into this concept with his view of the world as "food" given to humankind:

                              The world was given to man by God as "food"-as means of

                              life; yet life was meant to be in communion with God; it had

                               not only its end but its full content in Him...The world and

                               food were thus created as means of communion with God.

Such a sacramental approach to the earth promotes a more spiritual and sacred view of the world.

      The Book of Discipline's statement about management of natural resources is also too broad and theoretical. It would be much more effective if it provided specifics on how to get involved in influencing policies on the management of industrial waste, the phase out of nuclear energy and the management of nuclear waste and healthier alternatives to food growth and production. The statement should also direct UMC members to organizations currently involved in these efforts. This would provide the vital link from the theoretical to the practical engagement with the current efforts to effect change in the management of natural resources.

     The United Methodist's Church's (UMC) statement on the environment, although comprehensive and well crafted, primarily embraces a stewardship approach to creation care. Thorough analysis reveals that the statement would be more effective if it incorporates a variety of creation care models. The inclusion of Virtue and Priestly models would add needed breadth and width to the statement. Moreover, the inclusion of more pragmatic solutions to addressing grave and ominous threats is needed to promote greater engagement of the reader with the issues.

                                                                                 Bibliography

Living in God's Creation: Orthodox Perspectives on Ecology, (New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2009) 212

https://www.umc.org accessed 10/13/2017