Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology

“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

“Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology is an excellent addition to the literature on Christians and creation care. 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. My thanks to the authors for this fine volume. I pray many will take up and read this book and in so doing be inspired to bear witness to God’s good future of shalom.”—Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion, Hope College; author of For the Beauty of the Earth

“Sometimes you have no idea how much you needed something until it appears. Here is a desperately needed resource for the church where debates about what it means to theologize and ecologize—with the customary cries to apologize, economize, harmonize, decentralize, localize—sound more like sacks of cats than choral evensong.”—Leonard Sweet, bestselling author, professor (Drew University), and chief contributor to Sermons.com

“Vital and timely. Meets a clear need. Deepens the church’s witness on behalf of creation. One could use all of these phrases to describe this important book. But even more important are the clarity, conviction, and passionate engagement with the Bible, the church, and their relationship with the earth that Brunner, Butler, and Swoboda bring to this emerging priority for Christians. This volume will equip and empower pastors and lay leaders alike to develop a faithful ecotheology and to put belief into action.”—Rev. Fletcher Harper, executive director, GreenFaith

“As it did years ago, the Church is undergoing another Great Awakening. In this landmark volume, Brunner, Butler, and Swoboda have provided the theological resources, inspiration, and vision for a Green Awakening. Weaving together personal stories, biblical readings, theological insights, confessional backgrounds, and practical advice, this co-authored work will prove immensely useful for Christians of all theological persuasions.”—William P. Brown, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary; author of The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder

“I believe Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology is the most carefully constructed and comprehensive work of its kind to date. If you have been waiting for a text centering ecotheology in solidly biblical and historic Christianity, the wait is over.”—Randy Woodley, distinguished professor of faith and culture, George Fox Seminary; author of Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision

“Introducing Evangelical Ecotheology is a highly readable and insightful exploration of new evangelical thinking about the task of ‘ecotheology,’ that is, Christian theology that re-thinks the Bible and church tradition with constant reference to God’s good gift of creation. Written by three leading figures in this emerging field of study, this book features illuminating sidebars that address the authors’ disagreements about difficult topics in contemporary ecotheology including the role of inclusive language for God, the question of evolution, and the problem of ‘stewardship’ language for a Christian environmental ethic. An excellent volume for college students, church groups, and general readers alike.”—Mark Wallace, professor of religion and interpretation theory coordinator, Swarthmore College; author of Green Christianity

“The interlocking ecological crises stalking us confront Christians with a stark choice: denial or discipleship. This engaging and thoughtful collaboration offers a wide-spectrum overview of the biblical, theological, historical, scientific, and practical issues at stake. Butler, Brunner, and Swoboda have established a new baseline for committed evangelical ecotheology and praxis.”—Ched Myers, Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries