Moral Theology Topics: Oikos of God: Economy and Ecology in the Global Household

Seminary:  Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary

Location: 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201

Course number:

Instructor:  Dr.  Timothy Eberhart

Website: www.garrett.edu

Course Description

This course is an introduction to theological reflection on economy and ecology in a globalized world. The Greek word for household is oikos, which means the words ecology (oikos-logos, the studied knowledge of our planetary household), economy (oikos-nomos, the management of the household), and ecumenicity (oikou-menikos, an openness to the worldwide household) all share a basic orientation to “home.” There is growing awareness that the interconnected households we inhabit are increasingly marked, not by the kind of sustaining relations on which home life depends, but by various forms of injustice and degradation. There is also a growing recognition that the ecological and economic crises facing people worldwide are mutually constitutive and that singular, disconnected responses are therefore inadequate. The goal of this course is to draw upon diverse theological and ethical resources in thinking critically about the economic and ecological crises facing our common global household and constructively toward a more charitable, just, and sustainable future.