From altar to action: Customising the pneumatological imagination to sustainable development

Abstract

Pentecostal ecotheology has been explored as the theology that can go beyond the anthropocentric focus of salvation towards the salvation of the non-human. This aspect of Pentecostal ecotheology has been explored by previous studies; however, the research gap exists in applying the same to sustainable development goals (SDGs). This article uses the pneumatological imagination as a theoretical framework to apply Pentecostal ecotheology to SDGs. The article argues that a pneumatological imagination is relevant in addressing the SDGs on hunger and agriculture (SDG2), water resources (SDG6), energy (SDG7), climate change (SDG13), conservation and sustainable management of marine resources (SDG14) and sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG15). The research findings are as follows: the pneumatological imagination can broaden the eschatological message to encompass social justice, political change and ecological repentance, beyond conventional evangelism. The pneumatological imagination envisions practical ways to engage in and contribute to the triune God’s redemptive renewal of the world. The pneumatological imagination elevates individuals whose voices have been historically and traditionally marginalised because of gender, power dynamics or socioeconomic class. The pneumatological imagination aspires to provide a universal panorama and an inclusive capacity that envisions the salvation of everyone. The article is a literature review and data were analysed using the different themes of the United Nations’ SDGs. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article explores the relationship between theology and development studies by proposing a pneumatic Pentecostal ecotheology in the fulfilment of the SDGs of the United Nations.

Keywords

• pentecostal ecotheology
• sustainable development
• pneumatological imagination
• pentecostalism
• normative theology.