Theology faces the ecological crisis. The good living (buen vivir) of Latin-American native people challenges theological reflection

Abstract

Ecotheology is currently at a methodological crossroads. There is no consensus on what kind of transformations are required within theology and the scope of them to address socio-environmental challenges from a religious point of view. In this process of revising methods and content, dialogue with other forms of knowledge and wisdom – not only philosophy and the natural sciences – can help theology to deepen its assertions about God, human beings, and nature. The notion of good living (buen vivir) of the original Latin American peoples, provided it is not desacralized and its spiritual roots are recognized, can be a provocative companion to help theology to rethink some of its classical categories and perspectives. In this sense, the article unfolds in three parts. First, it analyses some contemporary opinions about ecotheology, along with proposing some general conclusions regarding its method and goals. The second part explains three different understandings of buen vivir, emphasizing its spiritual and religious background, which should not be forgotten. Otherwise, good living loses its challenging character for theology and becomes only a political and environmental notion. Finally, the article shows how native peoples’ wisdom challenges theology to rethink some of its categories, such as the uniqueness of other beings (other than humans), and the presence of God in the world.