A theological framework for the sustainable development of energy and mineral resources in Korea

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to provide Korean churches with a theological framework to solve the current environmental impact of energy and mineral development in Korea. But this is merely a microcosm of what is happening in securing energy and mineral resources throughout the world, because we cannot imagine one day of our lives without energy and mineral resources in current civilized societies, just as we cannot exist without pure blood. In effect, the key question is whether there are Christian insights and theological perspectives which can help prevent complex and dynamic environmental impacts from mining activities and nuclear plants in the environmental crisis. In this thesis a variety of development and consumption trends of energy and mineral resources in the world as well as Korea has firstly been analyzed to comprehensively grasp their environmental impacts as well as their economic contributions in current civilized societies in chapters 2, 3 and 4. Secondly, this thesis looks at the controversial concept of sustainable development set up by the Brundtland Commission. The thesis goes on to discuss two controversial views of a traditional finite world paradigm and market resource allocation paradigm to examine the ideology and practice of economic growth. The thesis moves on to discuss fundamental roots of environmental degradation and the biblical proposition for sustainable development in order to redefine its concept. This thesis finally suggests "biblical sustainable development in accordance with the will of God" as a practical matrix to set up a theological framework for sustainable development of energy and mineral resources in the environmental crisis. Additionally, biblical sustainable development in the mining context is also discussed as a basic tool to develop a new scheme for ecological integrity in mining activities in chapter 6. Thirdly, through looking at theological perspectives and Christian insights, the thesis arranges a theological framework for biblical sustainable development of energy and mineral resources as the rudiments of an environmental ethic grounded in the Bible and as a criterion to capture theological and ethical reflections on the environmental impacts from nuclear plants and mining activities in Korea. Additionally, practical guidelines for biblical sustainable development is suggested to lead this world into the biblical sustainable society based on the theological perspectives for energy and mineral resources in chapter 7. Fourthly, in order to clearly identify the challenging tasks of Korean churches, this thesis evaluates the environmental initiatives of Korean churches based on the factual analysis of the environmental impacts from mining activities and nuclear plants and environmental activities of Korean churches and NGOs in chapters 4 and 5, and then suggests practical guidelines for individuals and churches based on the theological framework for biblical sustainable development in accordance with the will of God in chapter 8. Finally, through evaluating the Korean energy regime and mining policy, directions for the Korean government is also suggested in order to bring their environmental initiatives more in accordance with the will of God in chapter 8. The Church is arguably the most powerful institution in the world and can literally move mountains because it has its power from our Lord God. This power has to be utilized not only in Korea but in the whole world in order that humanity can save this planet before it is too late.