Ecotheology in the Technological Era:Reinterpreting the Sacred Responsibility toward Nature

Abstract

This article aims to reinterpret the concept of humanity’s sacred responsibility toward the Earth through an ecotheological approach in the technological era. The development of modern technology has created a paradox in the relationship between humans and nature: on the one hand, technology facilitates life and increases productivity; on the other hand, it accelerates resource exploitation and deepens the global ecological crisis. By integrating theological perspectives, environmental ethics, and a critique of the technocratic paradigm, this paper affirms that humans, as stewards (khalifah) of the Earth, possess a spiritual mandate to maintain cosmic balance rather than merely dominate nature. The method employed is a qualitative literature-based study using an interdisciplinary approach that connects religious texts, contemporary theological thought, and modern ecological discourse. The analysis focuses on reinterpreting sacred values within ecotheology in the context of digital transformation and industrialization. The findings indicate that ecotheology in the technological era requires a paradigm shift from anthropocentrism to theo-ecocentrism, in which technology is positioned as an ethical instrument that must be subordinated to the values of sustainability and ecological justice. This underscores that reconstructing ecological spiritual awareness is essential for building a sustainable civilization, by viewing the Earth not as an object of exploitation but as a divine trust that must be preserved for the continuity of life across generations.