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SUMMARY:Natural Disasters and Christian Theology - Dr David Chester\, Geog
 raphy Dept.\, Liverpool University
DTSTART:20090526T120000Z
DTEND:20090526T130000Z
UID:TALK17746@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Zoe Binns
DESCRIPTION:Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures interpret disasters. 
 Discussion did not end at the close of the biblical era\, however\, but ha
 s continued throughout Christian history and a number of _Leibnizian_ mode
 ls of theodicy have been developed.  In the past few decades there has bee
 n a sea-change in both Christian attitudes towards disasters and in the wa
 ys in which losses are viewed by hazard researchers. From the perspective 
 of the latter\, an approach that envisions disasters as being primarily ca
 used by extreme physical events has been largely replaced by one in which 
 disasters are studied as social constructs\, with an emphasis being placed
  on human vulnerability. From the perspective of Christian theology\, grea
 ter prominence is now given to viewing disasters as events that represent 
 human sinfulness which is manifested in national and international dispari
 ties in wealth\, poverty\, hazard preparedness and disaster losses.  Great
 er focus is placed on Christian praxis\, rather than merely trying to unde
 rstand the nature of divine responsibility.  It is argued that these new h
 azard analytical and theological perspectives are synergetic: allowing on 
 the one hand churches\, their members as well as their leaders\, more full
 y to engage in disaster relief\;  whilst\, on the other\, enabling civil d
 efence planners more effectively to use the often considerable human and f
 inancial resources of Christian communities and their charitable agencies.
       
LOCATION:The Garden Room\, St Edmund's College
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