A Spirit-Filled Environment: Ecological Theology in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in South Africa

Abstract

Ecological theology has been explored from the perspectives of various Christian traditions. Although there have been attempts by a few scholars interested in Pentecostalism to investigate the subject, ecological theology remains under-researched within the ambit of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in South Africa. In addition, most churches in this tradition have not yet made pronouncements on ecological issues such as the interactions between Pentecostal believers and their environment in South Africa. Hence, a scholarly question arises: do the spirit-filled and tongue-talking care about the environment? This question is approached here through the development of ecological theology from a Pentecostal perspective. However, such a development will have to look at previous studies on Pentecostal ecological theology in order to apply it to a South African context. Only then will churches in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian tradition in South Africa be able to pronounce on environmental issues.