Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology: Foundations in Scripture, Theology, History, and Praxis
Overview
Today’s church finds itself in a new world, one in which climate change and ecological degradation are front-page news. In the eyes of many, the evangelical community has been slow to take up a call to creation care. How do Christians address this issue in a faithful way?
This evangelically centered but ecumenically informed introduction to ecological theology (ecotheology) explores the global dimensions of creation care, calling Christians to meet contemporary ecological challenges with courage and hope. The book provides a biblical, theological, ecological, and historical rationale for earthcare as well as specific practices to engage both individuals and churches. Drawing from a variety of Christian traditions, the book promotes a spirit of hospitality, civility, honesty, and partnership.
Get this book and more in the Baker Academic Theological Studies Update III (5 vols.).
Key Features
- Introduces ecotheology and the rationale for earthcare
- Challenges the trends that are dramatically altering the earth
- Promotes partnership with individuals and churches across traditions
Contents
- Why Ecotheology?
- In the Beginning: Listening to the Voice of Scripture
- The Voice of Creation: The Grandeur and the Groaning of the Earth
- Exploring Ecotheology
- Voices in the Wilderness: Christianity’s History with Creation
- The God of Burning Bushes: Trinity and Ecology
- Restoring Eden: Ancient Theology in an Ecological Age
- Doing Ecotheology
- Breaking the Bonds: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Lightly
- Heavenly Minded, Earthly Good: Embodying Down-to-Earth Living
- Earthen Vessels: Greening the Church
- Last Things
- Living As If: Resurrection Hope
Praise for the Print Edition
Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology is a wonderful new addition to the field. Combining scientific data, personal stories, and careful theological analysis, the authors draw readers into the goodness and pain of God’s world and invite them to develop a wholesome response as an act of Christian discipleship. Christians and congregations will learn much and benefit greatly from this book.
—Norman Wirzba, professor of theology and ecology, Duke Divinity School
This book provides a biblically rooted and historically informed discussion of important theological and ethical issues, from a distinctly evangelical point of view, with an illuminating discussion of embodied down-to-earth living (to use the title of one of the last chapters). It is thorough, well-organized, and well-written. Moreover, it exhibits wide reading and is chock-full of wisdom. With many poignant stories to match the depth and breadth of its theology, the book makes for pleasurable as well as valuable reading.
—Leonard Sweet, professor, Drew University
This volume will equip and empower pastors and lay leaders alike to develop a faithful ecotheology and to put belief into action.
—Fletcher Harper, executive director, GreenFaith
- Title: Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology: Foundations in Scripture, Theology, History, and Praxis
- Authors: Jennifer L. Butler, A. J. Swoboda, Daniel L. Brunner
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Pages: 272
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Ecotheology; Evangelicalism
- ISBNs: 9781441221438, 9780801049651, 1441221433, 0801049652
- Resource ID: LLS:NTRDCNGVNCTHLGY
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:57:36Z
About the Authors
Daniel L. Brunner is a professor of Christian history and formation at George Fox Evangelical Seminary where he founded and directs the Christian earthkeeping program.
Jennifer L. Butler is the associate minister at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Corvallis, Oregon, and an adjunct instructor in the Christian earthkeeping program at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.
A.J. Swoboda is an adjunct professor of biblical studies, theology, and church history at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He also teaches at LIFE Pacific College and New Hope Christian College and serves as a pastor.
Sample Pages from the Print Edition
Reviews
1 rating
Everett Headley
5/5/2016
A review from the TGC, not complimentary. http://themelios.thegospelcoalition.org/review/introducing-evangelical-ecotheology-foundations-in-scripture-theology-histo
Mark Christopher
8/28/2015
My own investigation into this issue over the last 12 years has convinced me that many evangelicals have drunk the secular kool aid on environmental issues like climate change. In the process they have reversed the order of the creation whereby humanity is subservient to creation rather than exercising dominion. This work appears to be no different than the others that have just baptized the secular PC worldview on climate "change" and tried to justify it on the basis Scripture--never mind satellite temps have not budged in almost 19 years, the arctic has been expanding over the last 3 years, sea levels aren't rising as fast as we were told, the Antarctic has all time high ice levels. While man has a duty to wisely manage the earth's resources God has graciously given, it simply will not do for evangelicals to retreat to the standard Malthusian position on the environment as if the sky is falling for the final time. Be that as it may, I will order the book to see how the authors approach the subject as part of my continuing study of the issue. I highly recommend the work of E. Calvin Beisner from Cornwall Alliance on this issue. His articles are extremely well informed, well reasoned, and gracious in tone. Beisner is simply the most informed evangelical on this issue: http://www.cornwallalliance.org/
Fred Myers
8/27/2015
I am puzzled as to how their statement "The earth is in danger" was arrived at in seminary. The earth is kept by God as so stated in Colossians. Is God doing a poor job? Can man do better? Does this clear statement come from the unsettled and unclear studies in the science of climatology. Some of the best minds in science have spoken against the temperature studies. It seems every study has, in hindsight, been shown to have added temperature assumptions to the totals only from the mind of man. Yes, temperatures assumptions from the mind of man and not from actual data. Satan has a program of deception waiting for every mind that wants to think for God. Of course we need to be responsible for everything that God has assigned for man. But, seminary professors making science claims as Truth, and than declaring a set of programs for Christians. Seminaries have a way of fostering and foisting this type of hubris....shame, shame, shame.
