Creation Care And The Gospel

What does the Gospel have to do with Creation Care? From Augustine to Martin Luther, theologians and preachers recognized that God speaks to his people through 'two books', namely the Bible and his created world. In this volume an international group of theologians, scientists and creation care practitioners explore what this ancient truth means for us today. They show how care of God's creation must be an integral part of the mission of Christ's church, an expression of joyful worship, and a path of hope for a world in desperate need of it. Book jacket.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals a God whose creative power and loving care embrace all that exists, from earth and sky and sea to every creeping, crawling, swimming, and flying creature. Yet the significance of the Bible’s extensive teaching about the natural world is easily overlooked by Christians accustomed to focusing only on what the Bible says about God’s interaction with human beings. In Creation Care, part of the Biblical Theology for Life series, father and son team Douglas and Jonathan Moo invite readers to open their Bibles afresh to explore the place of the natural world within God’s purposes and to celebrate God’s love as displayed in creation and new creation. Following the contours of the biblical storyline, they uncover answers to questions such as: What is the purpose of the non-human creation? Can a world with things like predators, parasites, and natural disasters still be the ‘good’ world described in Genesis 1? What difference does the narrative of the ‘Fall’ make for humankind’s responsibility to rule over other creatures? Does Israel’s experience on the land have anything to teach Christians about their relationship with the earth? What difference does Jesus make for our understanding of the natural world? How does our call to care for creation fit within the hope for a new heaven and a new earth? What is unique about Christian creation care compared with other approaches to ‘environmental’ issues? How does creation care fit within the charge to proclaim the gospel and care for the poor? In addition to providing a comprehensive biblical theology of creation care, they probe behind the headlines and politicized rhetoric about an ‘environmental crisis’ and climate change to provide a careful and judicious analysis of the most up-to-date scientific data about the state of our world. They conclude by setting forth a bold framework and practical suggestions for an effective and faithful Christian response to the scriptural teaching about the created world. But rather than merely offering a response to environmental concerns, Creation Care invites readers into a joyful vision of the world as God’s creation in which they can rediscover who they truly are as creatures called to love and serve the Creator and to delight in all he has made.

How should Christians react to environmental crisis? Historically, evangelicals have ignored this aspect of living for Christ, so this book aims to reinvigorate and empower Christians across the globe to care for creation. This book collects the work of biblical scholars, theologians, biologists, environmental researchers, and community organizers who met at “The Global Consultation on Creation Care and the Gospel” in Jamaica in 2012. Participants from 23 countries as diverse as Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, and Canada gathered for five days to pray, talk, and reflect on the state of the planet—the home in which we live—and on the role and ministry of the church in caring for God’s creation. The book contains biblical and theological affirmations from well-respected scholars and teachers, reminding us that caring for creation is central to the evangelical faith. It is an integral part of our mission, an expression of our worship of God, and a matter of great joy and hope.

Creation Care and the Gospel concisely explains to the reader why creation care should be an essential part of Christian discipleship from a biblical perspective, and then provides practical guidance on how to live out creation care as an individual Christian and together in the local church. This is a much-needed book in light of the ever-advancing modern existential threats of pollution, climate change, deforestation, habitat destruction, and more.

A Christian ethics professor explores the person and work of Jesus Christ in relation to creation, redemption, and the restoration of all things, explaining why creation care involves more than global warming debates.

Discover John Stott's writings on creation care, brought together for the first time in this definitive collection for the global church. Compiled by R. J. Sam Berry and Laura Yoder, this brilliant anthology demonstrates both Stott's passion for the environment and its place in Christian discipleship. Showcasing his unique way of explaining the Bible simply and clearly, John Stott on Creation Care traces Stott's own process of coming to embrace creation care as a vital part of the Christian life - and in turn shows us how creation care must have an integral place in our own discipleship. Commentary by noted scientist R. J. (Sam) Berry connects Stott's writings together and illuminates how his wisdom still speaks to us today. Alongside reflections from others that Stott inspired and discipled, John Stott on Creation Care is the perfect resource for every Christian looking to understand biblical teaching on the environment and how creation care should form part of their discipleship. It is also an ideal biblical and theological resource for those involved in creation care ministry. Published as part of the John Stott Centenary celebrations, proceeds from John Stott on Creation Care will go to A Rocha International, a charity that carries community-based conservation projects in response to biodiversity loss around the world. John Stott viewed creation care as an inevitable implication of the biblical message, and as a grounding for Christian engagement in environmental commitments. This collection will give you a deeper, more thorough understanding of his writings and how his views developed, and will leave you motivated and inspired to look again at your discipleship and how you approach creation care.

This substantially revised and updated edition provides the most thorough evangelical treatment available on a theology of creation care.