| dc.description.abstract | This study is an attempt to develop an African Christian theological basis for environmental conservation in Kenya. The motive behind it is the observation that previous researchers towards rehabilitating nature have been conducted almost
exclusively along scientific, economical and political lines. The religious significance and aspect of nature seems to have been sidelined. It is thus imperative to conduct a research along a religious dimension as a compliment to other research approaches
that have been conducted concerning care of the environment. Information for this project has been collected from both primary and secondary sources. From the secondary sources, which have formed part of the bibliography, Libraries have been
consulted, Archives visited, journals and periodicals reviewed,while primary sources have involved interviews, questionnaires and participant-observation methods. Hypotheses were formulated to guide the research.The main stay of this thesis has been; to investigate African traditional conception of God, humanity and nature;
Assess the biblical understanding of ecology and environmental issues; investigate the contribution which Churches in Kenya.are making, and which they can make in environmental conservation and finally, find out the possibilities of merging some of the
biblical and traditional conceptions on environmental concerns to assist Kenyans with a theological model on how best they can relate with nature and creation at large. Humanity was believed to be part and parcel of the universe that also had animals,
plants and inanimate objects.This thesis has arrived at three main conclusions.
Firstly, it has become clear that the religious significance of nature should not be sidelined. Indeed, a syntheses of traditional Maasai and Kikuyu views towards God, humanity and nature with those of the biblical teachings may provide Kenyans
with a theological option for a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.
Secondly, environmental education has emerged as an indispensable device through which ignorance on environmental ethics may be overcome. This task requires an integrative approach. In other words it should involve all sections of our Kenyan Society the Government, NGOs, Religious leaders,Professionals and Educational Institutions.
Thirdly; biblical expositions on the theology of responsible stewardship, if embraced by christians will ensure respect for the environment. What our Kenyan churches need is an environmental vision that embraces justice, peace and integrity of creation for a holistic environment.This study has made three main contributions. Firstly, it
is relevant to those who are involved in-the quest for a theology of nature. Secondly, the study has provided a religious dimension towards the rehabilitation of the environment.
Although without science humanity may not go far in its efforts to salvage nature, it is also true that religion has a positive and significant contribution to make in the struggle for environmental conservation. Finally, this study has revealed the relationship between poverty and poor environmental management.It has been argued that the bottomline to effective environmental management remains the political will to create an enabling
environment that is conducive to the provision of basic human needs like food, shelter, environmental education and health.The study makes three main recommendations. Firstly, there is an urgent need for Kenyans to be provided with environmental
knowledge to assist them on how to relate with GodJs creation in general. Secondly, more research along the biblical, African Maasai/Kikuyu aspects which are of ecological significance need to be conducted. Thirdly the government should provide Kenyans
with basic necessities of life to enhance a more holistic and positive approach towards rehabilitating nature by her populace.Finally, churches need to integrate the environmental component in her ecclesiastical mission. Salvation as a concept
should embrace both the spirit and the physical components of the human person. Theological institutions are particularly challenged to devise courses which will emphasize stewardship while dealing with Gods creation in general.Four main findings have been arrived at in this study.Firstly, the study has established that traditional African
Societiesviewed nature as sacred which assisted significantly in salvaging it. Indeed, humanity lived in a religious environment where partnership with nature thrived.
Secondly, this study has revealed that the Bible has a lot of insights on how humanity ought to relate with Gods creation in general. Since the universe belongs to God, who formed it,humanity should not degrade it for their own selfish ends.Thirdly, observations made in this study reveal the positive role that the church has played in the area of
environmental rehabilitation and particularly the atmosphere.Despite this positive gesture, however. churches have portrayed some inherent weaknesses in the area of environmental conservation. These include failure to offer environmental knowledge to her faithful, lack of educative environmental sermons; failure to co-ordinate her environmental vision with those of other stake holders like NGOs, and failure to have a
balance between spiritual and physical salvation of the human person in ecclesiastical endeavours.Finally, it has been found that traditional Kikuyu and Maasai conceptions of God, humanity and nature were not remarkably different from those of the biblical world. All the three social systems nursed a philosophy that seemed to respect God. | en |
