God of life: Rethinking the Akan Christian concept of God in the light of the ecological crisis

Abstract

A community’s conception of God is the central point for much of the rest of its belief. It might even be thought of as supplying the whole framework within which the community is constructed, lives its life, conducts its activities, and relates to non-human forms of life. Looking at the human and non-human forms of life relations from this perspective, the current environmental crisis may be seen as a theological problem. Our perceptions of who God is and who we are shape our actions in the direction of a just and sustainable society. Thus, how Akan Christians relate to non-human forms of life may largely depend on their social construction of God– nature relations. If one sees oneself as superior to non-human forms of life, then one will act in ways that support this position and therefore maintain one’s superiority. This suggests the importance of communities’ conception of God–nature relations in our effort to address the current environmental crisis. This contribution offers reflection on the Akan concept of God and its implications for justice, peace, and sustainability.