2 Ecology, War, and Nuclear Testing in the Pacific …
19
to contribute towards a more peaceful and sustainable future (Bhagwan 2020). In
particular, any such contribution towards peace will (ideally) involve embracing a
theology that includes practical and earth-friendly ways of living.
The primary purpose of this chapter is to explore ways in which faith-based reconciliation could contribute to a viable pathway to peace and thus a more positive future
for both human and non-human life. This prospect will be provided against a backdrop that outlines the impact of war on the ecology of the planet. At the heart of
this goal for a more positive and peaceful future is the scriptural call to a ministry of
reconciliation, which is without doubt one of the biggest challenges facing the world
today (Harper 2016; Moltman 2012; Moore 2014). The authors of this chapter posit
that according to scripture, God seeks to work in and through human beings towards
an outworking of reconciliation. We understand from the Christian scriptures that
God was working to reconcile the world to himself through the life of Jesus Christ,
and then committed all his followers to propagate this message of reconciliation
(2 Corinthians 5:19). Accordingly, this discussion seeks to contribute to scholarship by attempting to synthesise the key linchpins of this message of reconciliation.
More specifically, by grappling with questions involving war, ecological damage and
reconciliation, this discourse seeks to create consilience by conjoining contributions
from both science and faith. This has been previously synthesised as a fertile space
for scholarly engagement:
climate change adaptation initiatives in Oceania will have a better chance of being effective
and sustainable if they are scientifically sound [and] spiritually attuned … The study recommends fostering consilience through propagating locally sensitive science-faith integration.
(Luetz and Nunn 2020, p. 305)
By venturing into this little explored territory, this chapter responds to such previous
calls for “more-than-scientific yet not anti-scientific responses to climate change that
are locally meaningful and morally compelling” (Fair 2018, p. 11). Accordingly, it
invites its readers to view reconciliation with Nature through the prism of scriptural
reconciliation narratives, perspectives and representations (Hoffman and Sandelands
2005). By looking at the ecological destruction brought on by nuclear testing in the
Pacific retrospectively, the discourse seeks to advance prospects for peace and better
disaster preparedness prospectively. In doing so, this chapter builds support for spiritual leadership in Oceania as it engages proactively in areas of policy development,
regulatory change and peace research (Bhagwan 2020).
The discussion is organised as follows: after briefly exploring the two concepts of
ecology and war, the section “The Causes and Impacts of War” will set the scene globally by considering the causes and impacts of conflict. The section “Nuclear Testing
in the Pacific” will then discuss the significant impacts of nuclear testing in the
Pacific before moving to consider a solution based on a theology of reconciliation in
the section “Towards a Faith-Informed Solution”. Thereafter, the section “Ten Steps
Toward a Practical Ministry of Reconciliation” will propose ten steps towards a practical ministry of reconciliation. Finally, the “Conclusion” will close the discussion
with a concluding synthesis.
19
to contribute towards a more peaceful and sustainable future (Bhagwan 2020). In
particular, any such contribution towards peace will (ideally) involve embracing a
theology that includes practical and earth-friendly ways of living.
The primary purpose of this chapter is to explore ways in which faith-based reconciliation could contribute to a viable pathway to peace and thus a more positive future
for both human and non-human life. This prospect will be provided against a backdrop that outlines the impact of war on the ecology of the planet. At the heart of
this goal for a more positive and peaceful future is the scriptural call to a ministry of
reconciliation, which is without doubt one of the biggest challenges facing the world
today (Harper 2016; Moltman 2012; Moore 2014). The authors of this chapter posit
that according to scripture, God seeks to work in and through human beings towards
an outworking of reconciliation. We understand from the Christian scriptures that
God was working to reconcile the world to himself through the life of Jesus Christ,
and then committed all his followers to propagate this message of reconciliation
(2 Corinthians 5:19). Accordingly, this discussion seeks to contribute to scholarship by attempting to synthesise the key linchpins of this message of reconciliation.
More specifically, by grappling with questions involving war, ecological damage and
reconciliation, this discourse seeks to create consilience by conjoining contributions
from both science and faith. This has been previously synthesised as a fertile space
for scholarly engagement:
climate change adaptation initiatives in Oceania will have a better chance of being effective
and sustainable if they are scientifically sound [and] spiritually attuned … The study recommends fostering consilience through propagating locally sensitive science-faith integration.
(Luetz and Nunn 2020, p. 305)
By venturing into this little explored territory, this chapter responds to such previous
calls for “more-than-scientific yet not anti-scientific responses to climate change that
are locally meaningful and morally compelling” (Fair 2018, p. 11). Accordingly, it
invites its readers to view reconciliation with Nature through the prism of scriptural
reconciliation narratives, perspectives and representations (Hoffman and Sandelands
2005). By looking at the ecological destruction brought on by nuclear testing in the
Pacific retrospectively, the discourse seeks to advance prospects for peace and better
disaster preparedness prospectively. In doing so, this chapter builds support for spiritual leadership in Oceania as it engages proactively in areas of policy development,
regulatory change and peace research (Bhagwan 2020).
The discussion is organised as follows: after briefly exploring the two concepts of
ecology and war, the section “The Causes and Impacts of War” will set the scene globally by considering the causes and impacts of conflict. The section “Nuclear Testing
in the Pacific” will then discuss the significant impacts of nuclear testing in the
Pacific before moving to consider a solution based on a theology of reconciliation in
the section “Towards a Faith-Informed Solution”. Thereafter, the section “Ten Steps
Toward a Practical Ministry of Reconciliation” will propose ten steps towards a practical ministry of reconciliation. Finally, the “Conclusion” will close the discussion
with a concluding synthesis.