Eco-Justice Incongruous with other Social ills: An African Theological Perspective and Indigenous Epistemology

Abstract

The objective of the article is to uphold a methodological orientation that seeks a genuine appropriation amongst indigenous and other systems of knowledge with reference to ecology. Based on the ecological catastrophe, the global world cannot dwell on one stream of knowledge production for eternity. Indigenous epistemology ought not to be side-lined but systematically instituted in the pool of knowledge production instead of a miscalculated biased episteme by the global north. This has resulted in a confusing terrain of the theological stance underlying indigenes ecological life-worlds. This mishap further allows ideologically distorted forms of Christianity which harbours human alienation from the rest of the earth community and justifies Christian anthropocentrism in a world torn apart by inter-alia, injustice, oppression, war crimes, invasion, segregation, and land degradation. Are we the first crop to read this story with such a sombre understanding of the destruction with which it begins in (Genesis 6:5-7), and such a sharp awareness of the vital importance of the promise of God with which it ends (Genesis 9:8-17)? The same can be said for some of the forebodings of the early prophets and African indigenous people(s) who understood that living selfishly and alienating oneself from the natural world will ultimately result in an inevitable ecological catastrophe due to human induced catastrophic climate change and other social ills that manifest. This article develops a new methodology described as progressive ecological sensitive African and Christian ethics. It is progressive in the sense that it brings two ethical perspectives that are intertwined. The main purpose is to create a dialogue towards imagining and reconciling with African Indigenous knowledge life-worlds that are ecologically sensitive. As the earth community, it is imperative to inculcate a sense of moral responsibility through a multi-disciplinary approach across disciplines to enhance an episteme in the global south which is without prejudice. Addressing social ills such as eco-justice without a developed inclusive theoretical framework is a futile exercise. The researcher applied a desk research literature study drawing data from existing relevant literature including academic journals and books, and other relevant sources.