June 26, 2008

ARUSHA, Tanzania – It is "spiritual blasphemy" to abuse the environment, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In a June 25 address here to the LWF Council, Hanson called on LWF member churches to advocate for changes in policy and practice, adding that "hope compels us to be disciplined, courageous, faithful stewards of the whole creation."

The LWF Council, which Hanson chairs, is meeting here through June 30. The LWF is a global communion of 140 churches in 78 countries, representing 68.6 million of the world's Lutherans. The ELCA is an LWF member.

Hanson addressed the theme of the council meeting, "Melting Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro: A Witness of a Suffering Creation," in his report. Environmental abuse is treating God's creation as "an adversarial wilderness, a godforsaken wasteland, a natural resources dump to be used for our own self interest rather than cared for in obedience to God for its own sake," Hanson said.

The LWF president said it is clear from the Bible's Genesis chapter 3 and from human history that humankind "has rebelliously seized and abused the creation." He cited a number of examples, including consumption of forests and farm land, water and air pollution, and climate change, which is causing snow to melt on Mount Kilimanjaro near here. These "offenses" are an assault on fellow living creatures, including "human beings who are less privileged, less powerful," Hanson said.

But Hanson said he remains hopeful and confident. "A communion with a rich theological tradition has the resources to address this crisis," he said. The LWF Department for Theology and Studies' study program, "Theological Responses to Climate Change," is an example of theological dialogue taking place in the LWF, Hanson said.

Hanson cited a number of examples of how LWF member churches are working to preserve and improve the environment. He called on member churches to communicate with their governments and advocate for changes in environmental policy and practice.

"The creation's suffering is a sobering truth to face," Hanson said. But Christians can live confidently and serve humbly because there is hope in Scripture, and hope is born of faith, he said.

"Since we live with God and God's creation, shall we not join them in hope?" Hanson asked. "We are one Body of Christ, in solidarity with the creation and its suffering, one with each other in a communion of faith and service, sharing in the sufferings of Christ and of the new creation's birth."

ELCA News Service