Christians called to challenge selfish spirit of globalization
-27/05/06
A major inter
Christians called to challenge selfish spirit of globalization
-27/05/06
A major international forum on mission and spirituality has called for a united movement among churches around the world alongside other faiths and civil society to challenge what it calls ìthe deadly effects of neoliberal economic globalizationî.
Sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM), the forum drew 41 church leaders from Europe, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, North America and the Caribbean to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 to 19 May 2006.
The event, entitled “Living out the Accra Confession and its implications for our spirituality and mission”, was called to continue the process of mobilizing churches to act against the injustices of globalization that impoverish millions worldwide.
The Accra Confession was a major statement of the 24th General Council of WARC held at Accra, Ghana, in 2004. It declared that working to create a more just economy is essential to the integrity of Christian faith.
“We affirm that Accra was not the end but a signpost along the way and that with us and all those who have declared (in the Accra Confession) ‘we commit ourselves to seek a global covenant for justice in the economy and the earth in the household of God,’ the covenanting process enters a new stage and we invite all God’s people to join us in this journey,” the Kuala Lumpur statement says.
“Today we are driven towards a state of madness by the forces of domination, the logic of empire and the neoliberal temptation to worship mammon, not God. This madness extends to the whole creation which is today paying a high price, threatening life in all its forms.
“The Accra Confession warns that there may be no life at all if this madness continues and reminds us of God’s call to choose life not death.”
The Kuala Lumpur statement acknowledges that many churches have distorted the wonder of creation through their theology and worship. And it calls for churches to reclaim the true meaning of economy which has been “poisoned” by neoliberal economics.
“The neoliberal global economy, an economic system based primarily on individual accumulation of wealth and property, is claiming total and hegemonic control over all of life, demanding an endless flow of sacrifices from the poor and the earth.”
The statement says churches must “reclaim the theological idea that the economy of God is in direct contradiction to the current neoliberal economy.”
God’s economy is participatory; it promotes solidarity, ensures there is no poverty or inequality, emphasizes compassion, recognizes the limits to natural resources and promotes ecological integrity while building up communities that are centred on the sharing of good and ensuring justice for all.
“We invite all God’s people to join with us in a ‘covenanting for justice’ movement to transform ourselves and the world according to God’s purposes and promises, inspired by the vision of a new heaven and new earth,” the statement says.
“Through mutual encouragement and solidarity we can increase our capacity, our strength and our courage as we engage with the principalities and powers of our time.”
WARC is a fellowship of 75 million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries. CWM is a worldwide community of 31 Christian churches.
[Also on Ekklesia: Gospel requires justice not charity, says Jesuit writer; Theologians gather to address religion, violence and globalisation; Globalization needs communion, theologians say; WCC Assembly to offer alternative global vision; Christianity and the Culture of Economics by Alan Kreider (book); Churches attack global mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers; Anger spills over at WTO in Hong Kong; Churches plan a new global alliance for development; Benedict challenged to open global doors of Church; Hope for the World: Mission in a Global Context by Walter Brueggeman (book); Who controls the global future? by Simon Barrow]
Christians called to challenge selfish spirit of globalization
-27/05/06
A major international forum on mission and spirituality has called for a united movement among churches around the world alongside other faiths and civil society to challenge what it calls ìthe deadly effects of neoliberal economic globalizationî.
Sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM), the forum drew 41 church leaders from Europe, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, North America and the Caribbean to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 to 19 May 2006.
The event, entitled “Living out the Accra Confession and its implications for our spirituality and mission”, was called to continue the process of mobilizing churches to act against the injustices of globalization that impoverish millions worldwide.
The Accra Confession was a major statement of the 24th General Council of WARC held at Accra, Ghana, in 2004. It declared that working to create a more just economy is essential to the integrity of Christian faith.
“We affirm that Accra was not the end but a signpost along the way and that with us and all those who have declared (in the Accra Confession) ‘we commit ourselves to seek a global covenant for justice in the economy and the earth in the household of God,’ the covenanting process enters a new stage and we invite all God’s people to join us in this journey,” the Kuala Lumpur statement says.
“Today we are driven towards a state of madness by the forces of domination, the logic of empire and the neoliberal temptation to worship mammon, not God. This madness extends to the whole creation which is today paying a high price, threatening life in all its forms.
“The Accra Confession warns that there may be no life at all if this madness continues and reminds us of God’s call to choose life not death.”
The Kuala Lumpur statement acknowledges that many churches have distorted the wonder of creation through their theology and worship. And it calls for churches to reclaim the true meaning of economy which has been “poisoned” by neoliberal economics.
“The neoliberal global economy, an economic system based primarily on individual accumulation of wealth and property, is claiming total and hegemonic control over all of life, demanding an endless flow of sacrifices from the poor and the earth.”
The statement says churches must “reclaim the theological idea that the economy of God is in direct contradiction to the current neoliberal economy.”
God’s economy is participatory; it promotes solidarity, ensures there is no poverty or inequality, emphasizes compassion, recognizes the limits to natural resources and promotes ecological integrity while building up communities that are centred on the sharing of good and ensuring justice for all.
“We invite all God’s people to join with us in a ‘covenanting for justice’ movement to transform ourselves and the world according to God’s purposes and promises, inspired by the vision of a new heaven and new earth,” the statement says.
“Through mutual encouragement and solidarity we can increase our capacity, our strength and our courage as we engage with the principalities and powers of our time.”
WARC is a fellowship of 75 million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries. CWM is a worldwide community of 31 Christian churches.
[Also on Ekklesia: Gospel requires justice not charity, says Jesuit writer; Theologians gather to address religion, violence and globalisation; Globalization needs communion, theologians say; WCC Assembly to offer alternative global vision; Christianity and the Culture of Economics by Alan Kreider (book); Churches attack global mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers; Anger spills over at WTO in Hong Kong; Churches plan a new global alliance for development; Benedict challenged to open global doors of Church; Hope for the World: Mission in a Global Context by Walter Brueggeman (book); Who controls the global future? by Simon Barrow]