Oikos Initiative
Economy and Ecology in the Global Household
Oikos is the Greek word for household, which means the words economy (oikos-nomos, the proper management of the household), ecology (oikos-logos, the studied knowledge of our planetary household), and ecumenicity (oikou-menikos, an openness to the worldwide household) all share a basic orientation to home. In an age of climate change, financial crisis, and global protest, there is a growing recognition that the present ways of ordering our household life together cannot be sustained. The time is ripe for a new economy.
Christians affirm that in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God invites everyone to join the divine economy of the Kingdom in which there is justice, peace, and the abundant life for all. The mission of the church is to be the “household of God” where God’s economy is received and shared for the sake of the flourishing of the whole of creation. The Oikos Initiative serves to equip Christians, in partnership with all people of faith and good will, to participate in new ways of personal, congregational, and public home-making that are socially inclusive, politically equitable, and ecologically sustainable.
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Course Description
This course is an introduction to theological-ethical reflection on ‘household’ existence in the context of global life together today. 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 various ‘households’ in which we presently live are increasingly marked, not by the kind of sustaining relations on which ‘home’ life depends, but by countless manifestations of economic injustice, environmental ruination, and social fragmentation. There is also a growing recognition that these multiple problems are mutually constitutive and that singular, disconnected responses are therefore inadequate. The goal of this course is to draw upon diverse theo-ethical resources in thinking critically about the economic and ecological crises facing our common global household and constructively toward charitable, just, and sustainable solutions.
Instructor: Timothy Eberhart
Dr. Timothy R. Eberhart is an ordained elder in the Dakotas Conference currently completing his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in Theological Studies and Ethics. He received his B.A. from St. Olaf College and his M.Div. from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He is also certified in Permaculture and Ecovillage design. In his dissertation, he offers a holistic theology of Holy Communion that accounts for the human and ecological relations that are woven together in our present global economy. He proposes that faithful acceptance of God's invitation to be gathered together in the bonds of love today means participating in emerging forms of economic life that are inclusive, sustainable and just. Rev. Eberhart has served as a local pastor, youth director, and campus chaplain, as well as coordinator for the United Methodist Student Association at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Before coming to Garrett-Evangelical, he was the Coordinator for the Project in Leadership and Sustainability in the Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership in the Professions at Vanderbilt. His academic interests focus on the relation of Christian doctrine, especially ecclesiology and Christian life, to economic, environmental, and political theory.
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Garrett-Evangelical is a seminary of the
United Methodist Church that welcomes
students from a wide range of faith traditions.
