| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 自然資源與環境學系 === 107 === The purpose of this research is to explore how Christians respond to and embody the environmental ethics of belief through action in agricultural practice as a complement to the practical oriented local eco-theological ethics. In this research, the hermeneutics of qualitative research was taken as the research method. Five pastors and preachers with practical agricultural experience were interviewed by the intentional sampling strategy. The interview process was based on the semi-structured interviews according to the interview outline. The interviews were recorded as verbatim text and use as the main analytical text of the study. Based on the foresight of previous agricultural and belief experiences, the researchers conducted an analysis and interpretive understanding through the dialogue between the research text and the literature.
The research found that the participants construct belief-centered environmental ethics with the identity of an environmental steward during the process of agricultural practice. They consider human beings and other creatures are intimate partners and relatives as both are homologous and homogeneous creation. Different from the human-centered or ecological-centered thinking in environmental ethics, environmental stewardship ethics emphasize the connection relationship but not the position differences. Research participants regard the respect of the intrinsic value of natural creation as a practice of belief virtue. Starting from the perspective of social care demonstrates the spirit of love in the Christian faith with care and support of the neighbors. This generates positive and chain-effect on the overall environment further. The ecological practice of agricultural missions connects the environment, society, and economy by means of belief. In addition to improving the economic life and production environment of the rural church members, it also makes a continuation of the traditional culture of the tribal community.
Through the practice of agriculture, the preachers of the rural church extend their love to nature. It does not only help the rural church to create a beautiful environment and intimate human relationships, but it is also a yearned ecological gospel for those urban church members who are living in a stressful and polluted environment. This research believes that the development of community-supported agriculture can help the urban-rural church to complement each other. The urban church provides economic support for the environment-friendly agricultural of the rural church. The rural church can be a spiritual home for the urban church members, except for the supply of high-quality agricultural products. This research, therefore, calls on the Christian church to face up to the influence and necessity of eco-theology on the missionary mission. For the Christian, to correct the past misinterpretation of the natural world and to restore environmental stewardship ethic that is consistent with the spirit of sustainability.
This study can be used as a reference guide for eco-theological action research. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the practical implications of eco-theology in the context of this moment and place, and the development possibilities to be explored. The environmental stewardship ethics and agricultural missions 2.0 proposed by the research conclusions are still subject to further exploration by action research.
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