28: Eco-theology for Javanese Christians

Indonesia

A Climate Pollinator story by Sierra Ross Richer

When human beings were created in Genesis, Danang Kristiawan said, “This was the first mission of the human… to both enjoy but also to protect and take care of creation.”

Danang is the pastor of the Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ) congregation in Jepara, Indonesia, and a lecturer at the Wiyata Wacana Theological Seminary in Pati. He laments that in many Mennonite churches in Indonesia today, environmental issues are seen as unrelated to faith and church.

He explained how this separation came about in a video Danang produced for the Mennonite World Conference assembly in Indonesia last July.

“The traditional Javanese view understands that there is a connection between humans and nature,” he said in the video. “There are many local traditions or local wisdom that positively respect nature.”

But, Danang explained, when Dutch Mennonite missionaries arrived in Indonesia in the 19th century, they “were very critical of local cultural practices. As a result, the Christian community does not want to get involved with local rites and festivals for fear of syncretism.”

Danang is working with other Javanese church leaders to integrate the Javanese connection with nature into church theology.

On Peace Day in September 2021, Danang shared at a gathering of Javanese Mennonite churches. “I talked about respect for the indigenous people and to find different perspectives,” he said. He reminded listeners that in Javanese tradition, “humans are part of nature.”

Danang finds a basis for eco-theology in the Bible as well. Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 says that all things were created in Jesus. “He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together,” verse 17 adds.

“Christ embraced the creation in himself and he reconciled all things in himself,” Danang said. “We need to take care of creation because in creation you can find Christ also.”

To Danang, the theology in Colossians is familiar. “I think this is close to Javanese culture,” he said, “to the Javanese worldview, an Asian worldview.”

Having these conversations is a step in the right direction. But Danang said he still sees a lack of initiative when it comes to addressing environmental issues as a church. He has one solution that he discusses with his seminary students.

“I propose eco-discipline,” Danang said.

He explained that in the church, if someone does something wrong, they are asked to repent and sometimes receive discipline from the community. Why not expand that to wrongs committed against the natural world?

By driving cars and motorcycles, using air conditioning and creating plastic waste, Danang said, “We are participating in global warming. We should punish ourselves by putting money toward creation care.”

It’s important to remember, Danang said, that “discipline is not just individual, it’s together as a community. There is a responsibility to go and give advice and remind others so we can work together and be followers of Jesus.”

He wonders if Mennonites could begin holding each other accountable for harming the natural world.