From Anthropocentric Sinfulness to Bio-centric Gracefulness: Mission to Creation.
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Date
2008
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Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, Lagos, Nigeria (CBAAC)
Abstract
We live in a human centered world in which human's insatiable desires have made them to see all other parts of creation as something to be used to satisfy its ever widening desires. This has led to continuous mutilation of creation by humanity thereby committing sin against nature. This damage to creation as a result of human centredness is herein refereed to as "Anthropocentric Sinfulness". The indigenous Africans believe that nature is sacred as they perceive the world as a place inhabited not only humans but also by the spirit beings and this greatly influenced their handling of creation and their environment. As such they conceive a life centered world herein refereed to as "Bio-centric Gracefulness" .
This chapter advocates a shift from Anthropocentric sinfulness to Bio - centric gracefulness emphasizing the need for humanity to recognize the interdependence and inter-relatedness of the whole creation.From an African perspective, the chapter suggests a reclaim of Yoruba spirituality and believe about creation before the advent of Christianity as a basis for the shift from a "human centred" world to a "life centered" world. The chapter also discusses the implication of anthropocentricism to missions and what the consequences of a shift will be. It concludes with suggestions of what must be done and a theological reflection on creation.
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Keywords
Anthropocentricism; Bio-centrism; Creation; African Spirituality;
Citation
Global African Spirituality, Social Capital and Self Reliance in Africa. Tunde Babawale and Akin Alao (eds.) 21 – 32.