THEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: IMPLICATIONS OF JEREMIAH (2:7) FOR AFRICA’S ECOLOGICAL CRISIS

Abstract

This paper examines Jeremiah 2:7 through the lens of contemporary African ecotheology, exploring its implications for environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management in Africa. Employing historical-grammatical exegesis, the study analyses the verse’s historical and literary context within the book of Jeremiah. An analysis of key Hebrew terms and rhetorical structure reveals the theological underpinnings of land stewardship and environmental care. The paper then applies these insights to the African context, utilizing a comparative approach to draw parallels between ancient Israel’s environmental challenges and those facing modern Africa. An African ecological hermeneutic is developed, integrating biblical exegesis with traditional African worldviews and ecological knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach yields a culturally resonant framework for addressing current environmental issues. The study discovers that Jer 2:7 offers a theocentric model of environmental stewardship that aligns with many African traditional concepts of land and nature.