Ecotheology and climate crisis
Ecotheology and climate crisis
Interested in reading about ecotheology and climate crisis? Don't know where to start?
The CTF has a growing collection of ebooks on ecotheology, ecology, and the climate crisis. The books highlighted below include theological reflections, Biblical studies, practical guidance, resources for worship, local and global studies. Search the full collection on eDiscover, or have a look at our recommendations below.
Recent publications and new acquisitions
Explore the most up to date publications and recent additions to the CTF library on ecotheology and the climate crisis.
Leah Kostamo. Planted : A Story of Creation, Calling, and Community. Cascade Books, 2013.
Avoiding simplistic prescriptions or cliched platitudes, Leah wrestles
with issues of poverty, justice, and the environment through the
narrative of her own life experience. The lived-theology and humility of
voice conveyed in these pages draws readers to new and creative ways to
honor the Creator as they are inspired to care for creation.
Radhika Borde, et al. Religion and Nature Conservation : Global Case Studies. Routledge, 2023.
This book presents a broad array of global case studies exploring the
interaction between religion and the conservation of nature. With conservation
and religion often being championed as allies in the quest for a
sustainable world where humans and nature flourish, this book provides a
much-needed compendium of detailed examples where religion and
conservation science have been brought together.
Peters, Ted, and Marie Turner. God and the Natural World : Theological Explorations in Appreciation of Denis Edwards. Adelaide: ATF Press, 2020.
The book demonstrates the commitment Denis Edwards had to a theology that is truly ecumenical and always learning from the insights of others. The editors and authors have done a great service in helping many others to deepen reflection on Denis Edwards' contribution to our understanding of God and the natural world.
Habel, Norm, and Peter Trudinger. Water : A Matter of Life and Death. Hindmarsh: ATF Press, 2011.
This volume of essays explores the significance of water and
the current ecological crisis and examines this from both scientific and theological
insights. It also examines the relevance of key biblical passages relating to
water as a positive and a negative force. Contributors to this volume come from
Australia, South Africa and the USA and a variety of disciplines.
Timothy Reinhold Eberhart. Rooted and Grounded in Love : Holy Communion for the Whole Creation. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2017.
Drawing on the holiness-communitarian and agrarian-ecological traditions, Eberhart provides a systematic theological affirmation of holiness as divine wholeness in examining our present industrial agro-economy while also promoting a practical vision for how Christians might participate in the emergence of a more ecologically sustaining, economically charitable, and politically just food system.
Maria Nita. Praying and Campaigning with Environmental Christians : Green Religion and the Climate Movement. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.
This sociological book presents an ethnographic study of environmental Christian networks involved in the climate and transition towns movements. Nita examines the ways in which green Christians engage with their communities and networks, and offers an in-depth analysis of prayers, rituals, and religious practices, such as praying through painting, fasting for the planet, and sharing the green Eucharist in or with nature.
Martha C. Nussbaum. Justice for Animals : Our Collective Responsibility. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2023.
Animals are in trouble all over the world. The world needs
an ethical awakening, a consciousness-raising movement of international
proportions. In Justice for Animals, one of the world's most influential
philosophers and humanists Martha C. Nussbaum provides a revolutionary approach
to animal rights, ethics, and law.
John Chryssavgis, and Nikolaos Asproulis. Priests of Creation : John Zizioulas on Discerning an Ecological Ethos. London: T&T Clark, 2021.
Zizioulas offers a timely anthropological and cosmological
perspective of human beings as “priests of creation” in addressing the current
ecological crisis. Given the critical and urgent character of the global crisis,
Zizioulas describes a vision based on a compassionate and incarnational
conception of the human beings as liturgical beings, offering creation to God
for the life of the world.
John Chryssavgis, and Bruce V. Foltz. Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration : Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, Nature, and Creation. New York: Fordham University Press, 2013.
In addition to being the first comprehensive collection to address environmental issues from the Orthodox point of view, this volume will engage all those in search of a fresh approach to environmental theory and ethics that can bring to bear the resources of ancient spirituality, often virtually unknown in the West, on modern challenges and dilemmas.
Krista E. Hughes, Dhawn B. Martin, and Elaine Padilla. Ecological Solidarities : Mobilizing Faith and Justice for an Entangled World. University Park, Pennsylvania: Penn State University Press, 2019.
This volume explores ecologies of interdependence as a frame
for religious, theological, and philosophical analysis and practice.
Contributors examine questions of justice, climate change, race, class, gender,
and coloniality and discuss alternative ways of engaging the world in all its
biodiversity.
Joerg Rieger, Ashley John Moyse, and Scott A. Kirkland. Theology in the Capitalocene : Ecology, Identity, Class, and Solidarity. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2022.
Rieger takes a new look at the things that cause unease and
discomfort in our time, leading to the growing destruction and death of people
and the planet. Solidarity, and the willingness to work at the seemingly
impossible intersections of everything--the triad of gender, race, and class,
yes, but more beyond--must mark the work of theology.
Highlights from the rest of the collection
Introductions and overviews
Looking for an introduction to ecotheology? Try these introductory guides, overviews, and handbooks from the CTF collection, the Hub, and the Internet Archive.
Cavanaugh, William T. Fragile World : Ecology and the Church. Studies in World Catholicism. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2018.
Scholars and activists from Christian communities across the world present a global angle on the global ecological crisis and offer Catholic resources for responding to it. This volume analyzes the relationship among the physical environment, human society, culture, theology, and economics. At its root, the ecological crisis is a theological crisis, not only in the way that humans regard creation and their place in it, but in the way that humans think about God.
Deane-Drummond, Celia E. A Primer in Ecotheology : Theology for a Fragile Earth. Cascade Companions. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017.
This book serves as an introduction to the burgeoning field of ecothology, illustrating both its variety and its commonality across different Christian theological divides. Written in clear, accessible style, this book walks readers through difficult concepts and shows the way different sources in Christian theology have responded to one of the most significant cultural issues of our time.
Deane-Drummond, Celia. Eco-Theology. London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 2008.
Deane-Drummond offers a comprehensive resource book that highlights and seeks to evaluate the merits or otherwise of contemporary eco-theologies. She introduces the reader to critical debates in eco-theology, tracing trends from around the globe and key theological responses, and encourages reflection and analysis through further reading sections.
Gottlieb, Roger S. The Oxford handbook of religion and ecology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Internet Archive.
Theologians from every religious tradition have confronted past attitudes towards nature and acknowledged their own faiths’ complicity in the environmental crisis. This handbook gives an overview of the vital theologies born out of this confrontation, exploring topics from traditional religious concepts of nature and environmental crisis, conceptual issues that transcend individual traditions, and religious participation in environmental politics.
Kiara Jorgenson, and Alan G. Padgett. Ecotheology : A Christian Conversation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2020.
Just as God loves creation, so are Christians called to care for it. Now, amid the accelerating degradation of our global environment, that task has taken on greater urgency than ever. The ecumenical conversations in Ecotheology represent the diverse viewpoints of contributors' theological and practical commitments, exploring creation care through a variety of frameworks, including natural science, biblical studies, systematic theology, and Christian ethics.
Marlow, Hilary, and Mark Harris. The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and Ecology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2022
Among biblical scholars, criticism of the Judeo-Christian
tradition for its part in the worsening crisis has led to a small but growing
field of study on ecology and the Bible. The Handbook brings together a diverse
and engaging collection of accessible essays on subjects ranging from detailed
exegesis from an ecological perspective to thematic topics such as the Imago
Dei and stewardship to contemporary perspectives and applications, including
political and ethical considerations.
Northcott, Michael S., and Peter M. Scott. Systematic Theology and Climate Change : Ecumenical Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2014
This book offers the first comprehensive systematic theological reflection on arguably the most serious issue facing humanity and other creatures today. Responding to climate change is often left to scientists, policy makers and activists, but what does theology have to offer? Written from a range of denominations and traditions yet with ecumenical intent, the authors explore key Christian doctrines and engage with some of the profound issues raised by climate change.
Further explorations
Want to delve deeper into this subject? The CTF database has over 100 titles focusing on ecology, ecotheology, and the climate crisis. These books offer a broad range of different approaches, disciplines, and perspectives across different religious denominations and time periods. Here are just a few highlights from this collection.
Bible Commentary
Habel, Norman C. Readings From the Perspective of Earth. The Earth Bible. Cleveland: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000.
The Earth Bible project aims to develop ecojustice principles appropriate to an Earth hermeneutic for interpreting the Bible and for promoting justice and healing for Earth. Biblical scholars illustrate how a reading of the biblical text from the perspective of Earth yields fresh insights; these studies retrieve evidence of the living voice and intrinsic value of Earth. Explore individual commentaries in the Earth Bible series: Balabanski, Vicky and Norman C. Habel. The Earth Story in the New Testament, 2002; Lamp, Jeffrey S. Hebrews, 2020; Havea, Jione. Jonah, 2020; Daly-Denton, Margaret. John, 2017.
Biblical Studies
Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2009. Open Access
Bauckham considers the relationship of humans to the rest of creation. He considers the Bible’s understanding of this relationship, re-evaluating the biblical tradition of ‘dominion’, in favour of a ‘community of creation’.
Ecofeminism
Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Gaia & God : an ecofeminist theology of earth healing. [San Francisco]: Harper, 1994. Internet Archive.
Ruether explores how Western religious and scientific traditions have led to today's ecological crisis. To heal our planet, Ruether argues that we must transform "the interrelations of men and women, humans and earth, humans and the divine, the divine and the earth."
Ecowomanism
Harris, Melanie L. Ecowomanism: African American Women
and Earth-Honoring Faiths. Ecology and Justice. Maryknoll: ORBIS, 2017.
Harris argues that African American women make distinctive
contributions to the environmental justice movement in the ways that they theologize,
theorize, practice spiritual activism, and come into religious understandings
about our relationship with the earth.
Ethics
Jenkins, Willis. The Future of Ethics : Sustainability, Social Justice, and Religious Creativity. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2013.
Integrating environmental sciences, theological ethics, philosophy, and economics, Jenkins shows the significance of religious thought to the development of interdisciplinary responses to sustainability issues and how this calls for a new style of religious ethics.
Liberation Theology
Boff, Leonardo. Cry of the earth, cry of the poor. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1997. Internet Archive.
Focusing on the threatened Amazon of his native Brazil, and using the resources of Christian spirituality ancient and modern, Boff shows how liberation theology must join with ecology in reclaiming the dignity of the earth and our sense of a common community.
Orthodox Theology
Theokritoff, Elizabeth. Living in God's creation : Orthodox perspectives on ecology. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2009
Theokritoff draws on ancient sources, the Fathers, the
liturgy, and saints' lives, on modern commentators, and on practical examples
from our lived experience to communicate the ecological vision of Orthodox
Christianity.
Wesleyan Theology
Delgado, Sharon E. Love in a Time of Climate Change : Honoring Creation, Establishing Justice. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2017.
Delgado adapts John Wesley's theological method by using scripture, tradition, reason, and experience to explore the themes of creation and justice in the context of the earth's changing climate.
Worship
Antal, Jim. Climate Church, Climate World : How People of Faith Must Work for Change. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018.
After illuminating how human beings are responsible for the
dangers our planet now faces, Antal proposes how people of faith can embrace
new approaches to worship, preaching, witnessing, and other spiritual practices
that honor creation and cultivate hope.
Global perspectives
African theology
Daniel, Seblewengel, Mmapula Diana Kebaneilwe, and Angeline Savala. Mother Earth, Mother Africa and Mission. [S.l.]: African Sun Media, 2021
The volume brings together voices of African women theologians and their allies on the urgent topic of ecology, intervening into scholarly discourses on ecofeminism, mission, and Biblical reflection.
Indigenous theology
Mendoza, S. Lily, and George Zachariah. Decolonizing Ecotheology : Indigenous and Subaltern Challenges. Intersectionality and Theology Series. Eugene: Pickwick Publications, 2022.
This book contests the politics of conquest, commodification, and homogenization in mainstream ecotheology, informed by the voices of Indigenous and subaltern communities around the world.
Pacific theology
Havea, Jione. Losing Ground : Reading Ruth in the Pacific. [S.l.]: SCM Press, 2021.
Losing Ground offers a collection of bible studies from the Pacific that interweave the climate pandemic with the interests and wisdoms of Pasifika natives.
Explore our Diversification Fund acquisitions.
Looking for further resources on this subject?
Explore these online bibliographies, reading lists, and digital resources:
Reading lists
Ecotheology Booklist, Cowley St John Church
Wright Library, Princeton Theological Seminary - Earth Care Bibliography
Ecology for your Theology Bookshelf by Hannah Malcolm - also highlights podcast and video resources on ecotheology and climate crisis
Climate Reading Lists, St Albans Diocese
Other resources
Eco Church - a UK project offering guidance and resource packs for churches to become greener, including topics such as Worship, Building and Land management, and Community engagement
Church of England Creationtide resources - including webinars, and materials for discussion and worship
Climate Change and Theology Interview Videos - by the Pacific Theological College
Got any feedback on this resource page? Think we've missed something crucial? Spotted any broken links? Please get in touch at library@theofed.cam.ac.uk
All text blurbs adapted from material provided by the publisher.