Recent titles
in this section:
in this section:
Climate Change - Environmental Concerns
Christian thoughts and moral guidance
Keeping God’s Earth- The Global Environment in Biblical Perspectivesedited by Noah J Toly and Daniel I Block On reflection Keeping God’s Earth reminds me of the motto held by the London School of Theology when it was London Bible College ‘To explain something simply you must understand it profoundly.’ This series of twelve essays, each written by a different scholar, unpacks the sum of the environmental issues currently affecting life on our planet. The essays are presented in pairs, the first introducing an issue such as climate change, the effect of cities on our environment or the responsibility of human beings to conserve and husband the earth’s resources. The second offering a theological response to the current crisis, or potential future, anchored in an evangelical reading of the Bible. Each of the six essays that introduce a current environmental challenge offers an insight to the complexity of the issue facing scientists and conservationists. However while the questions they raise are complex in nature they each present the detail of the issue in a language that is easy to understand and absorb. This means the reader is able to grasp the arguments relating to subjects as diverse as the distribution of the earth’s water supplies to how diversity of plant and wildlife might be preserved with ease. Likewise the theological reflection offered in response to each issue raised is not only creative and insightful but also easy to read and understand. This book is a superb introduction to many of the ecological challenges facing the earth in the twenty first century. It also provides an excellent basis from which Christians can begin to reflect theologically on how they might respond to some of the current environmental crisis facing our planet. I cannot commend this book highly enough. Review by Steve Langford (29/11/11) |
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| Paperback Price: £16.99 Publisher: IVP(Inter Varsity Press) Published: 16 July 2010 ISBN: 978-1-844-74450-3 View this book on its own page >> |
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Christianity and the Renewal of Nature- Creation, Climate Change and Human ResponsibilityEdited by Sebastian C.H.Kim and Jonathan Draper Contributors are Tim Gorringe, Mary Grey, Michael Northcott, Clive Pearson, Martin Redfern, John Sauven, Clare Short and Rowan Williams. This book fulfils a need, particularly after the failure of the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference to reach a binding agreement on the reduction of CO2 and the lack of progress since. It is derived from a series of lectures aimed at promoting serious consideration of the reality of climate change and the challenge it presents to sustainable living, from the perspective of the Christian faith. A team of ten experts, including theologians and ethicists, examine the root causes of climate change and discuss the motives and methods behind current attempts to cope with it. The contributors emphasise that climate change is not just about the physical effects but also involves both moral and spiritual dimensions. The book concludes that the climate change debate is not just about the science but that there is a need for a coherent and committed plan of action. Scientific facts are fighting against more powerful forces such as economic growth and bureaucratic inertia, which take advantage of our innate desire to ignore what we don’t want to believe. Practical ways are suggested in which people can most helpfully respond to the challenge of climate change. Review by Tony South (24/08/11) |
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| Paperback Price: £12.99 Publisher: SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) Published: July 2011 ISBN: 978-0-281-06331-4 View this book on its own page >> |
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God, Creation, and Climate Change- A Catholic Response to the Environmental CrisisEdited by Richard W. Miller This book is a collection of essays by six American, committed Christian, and academics. As the title indicates, there is a strong theological slant. While clearly stating the dangers inherent in climate change, global warming and pollution, the writers emphasize our moral obligation to have a care for the whole of creation. It is suggested that, in describing our relationship with the rest of nature, the old biblical term “dominion over” should be replaced with “stewardship of” and “responsibility for” . For further study of the problem and for practical involvement in dealing with it, many relevant websites are given in the panel discussion at the end. In his conclusion, an optimistic note is struck by Richard Miller when he puts forward the idea that the looming disasters previously described are not irreversible if the peoples of the world would unite, organize and mobilize themselves to bring about the necessary changes in lifestyle. Review by Alexandra Irvine (31/05/11) |
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Publisher: Orbis Books from Alban Books Published: October 2010 ISBN: 978-1-570-75889-8 View this book on its own page >> |
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For the Beauty of the Earth- A Christian Vision for Creation Care – second editionby Steven Bouma-Prediger Many books have been written in recent years about the need for action on the problem of climate change. Generally they are of limited help in answering the question of whether authentic Christian faith includes care for the earth. This very readable book provides a thorough evangelical treatment of the theology of creation care, arguing that care for the planet is integral to Christian discipleship. The second edition has been revised and updated with details of the latest environmental research. The author introduces the concept of ecology. He then provides an abundance of evidence to support the claim that climate is changing. The claim that the Christian tradition of stewardship is the culprit is discussed and shown to be false. Bouma-Prediger shows that the Bible is not the problem but says a lot about what the future holds for the world and us along with it. He then sets out an evangelical theology of care for the earth and urges the need for people, especially Christians, to care for the planet. Review by Tony South (30/03/11) |
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| Paperback Price: £12.99 Publisher: Baker Books imprint of Baker Pub. from Lion Published: 01 June 2010 ISBN: 978-0-801-03695-8 View this book on its own page >> |
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Climate Justice- Ethics, Energy, and Public Policyby James B. Martin-Schramm In the past few decades we have become increasingly aware of the impact that human beings have on climate change, chiefly through the use of fossil fuels. But what public policies are needed to make a difference to the damage we are doing and who should shoulder the burden of paying (in every sense) for those policies? This is the theme of this book by James Martin-Schramm who is a professor of religion in the United States and research chair in the Center for Ethics and Public Life at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. Professor Schramm knows what he is talking about. If you want to know about the facts of climate change this is a book for you. He summarizes and presents in some detail the principal issues of climate change. As early as page five we have a table showing the Multimodel Averages and Assessed Ranges for Surface Warming between 1900 and 2010, closely followed by tables of Changes in Greenhouse Gases from Ice Core and Modern Data 1800-2000, and Changes in Temperature, Sea Level and Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover 1850-2000. The book is replete with information of this kind. This gives credibility to the factual case that the author presents. It is hard to resist the conclusion that ‘we have a problem’. While there are other books that do the same work, what this book does is to ground this factual presentation within a coherent Christian theology and ethics. He begins his reflections by quoting Genesis 1.1-3 which speak about wind, light and creation. In other words, ‘to imagine the fullness of God is to talk about energy’. He draws his ethics largely from the ethic of ecological justice that the World Council of Churches developed in the 1970s and other Protestant churches have since taken further. This enables him to put forward a set of ethical guidelines that he then applies to the various energy options available to industrial nations – coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear and renewable alternatives – in order to assess them ethically. The book ends with a living parable. He tells us about the work his own college is doing to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. It is a book that takes us from high level discussions of theology, ethics and public policy, to a very practical example. That is a good model for any writing in this area since my impression is that most Christians do not need to be persuaded about climate change but they do need to be shown what they can do. Review by Alan Billings (24/03/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £13.99 Publisher: Fortress Press from Alban Books Published: 04 April 2010 ISBN: 978-0-800-66362-9 View this book on its own page >> |
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Climate Change Apocalypseby Jack McGinnigle This book tries to align plentiful information about climate change, derived from accessible ‘science’ uncritically presented, with passages in the Bible described as straightforwardly containing ‘God’s truth’. The most frequently cited passages are accounts of creation and destruction in Genesis and apocalypse in Revelation, and parallels are discerned with recently observed phenomena. We are also told that there is ‘a tremendous amount of weather in the Bible’ (87) and that ‘God is in charge of’ it (101) and uses it for specific purposes. This implies that we, now, are being punished. But McGinnigle also argues that climate change is man-made. He concludes that we must abandon our selfish ways, become stewards of creation, and ‘choose life’. His conclusions are unexceptionable but his arguments inconsistent. Review by Su Reid (30/11/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £7.99 Publisher: Highland Books Published: July 2010 ISBN: 978-1-897-91385-7 View this book on its own page >> |
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Wind, Sun, Soil, Spirit- Biblical Ethics and Climate Changeby Carol S. Robb |
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ISBN: 978-0-800-69706-8 Price: £13.99 |
Published: March 2010 |
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Creation in Crisis- Christian Perspectives on Sustainabilityby Robert S. White |
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ISBN: 978-0-281-06190-7 Price: £12.99 |
Published: August 2009 |
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Climate and Christ- A Prophetic Alternativeby Edward P.Echlin |
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ISBN: 978-1-856-07690-6 Price: £9.99 |
Published: Spring 2010 |
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While the Earth Endures- Creation, Cosmology and Climate Changeby Philip Foster |
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ISBN: 978-1-901-54631-6 Price: £12.00 |
Published: Autumn 2009 |
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Hope for Planet EarthProduced and edited by Emma Morrice and Fran Moffat |
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ISBN: 501-4-182-05209-7 Price: £8.99 (incl VAT) |
Published: 2009 |
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‘L’ is for Lifestyle- Christian Living Doesn’t Cost the Earth - New Editionby Ruth Valerio |
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ISBN: 978-1-844-74343-8 Price: £7.99 |
Published: 2008 |
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Planetwise- Dare to Care for God’s Worldby Dave Bookless |
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ISBN: 978-1-844-74251-6 Price: £7.99 |
Published: Summer 2008 |
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Cherishing the Earth- How to Care for God’s Creationby Martin J Hodson & Margot R Hodson |
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ISBN: 978-1-854-24841-1 Price: £8.99 |
Published: Summer 2008 |
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Living With the Planet- Making a Difference in a Time of Climate Changeby Catherine von Ruhland |
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ISBN: 978-0-745-95255-0 Price: £10.99 |
Published: 14 March 2008 |
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Saving Planet Earthby Colin A Russell |
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ISBN: 978-1-850-78771-6 Price: £7.99 |
Published: Summer 2008 |
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A Moral Climate- The Ethics of Global Warmingby Michael S. Northcott |
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ISBN: 978-0-232-52668-4 Price: £12.95 |
Published: 27 August 2007 |
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Climate Change and Christian Faith CDSir John Houghton CBE, FRS conversing with Canon John Young |
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ISBN: 9-990-00010-7 Price: £5.00 (incl VAT) |
Published: May 2007 |
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Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainable Livingby Nick Spencer & Robert White |
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ISBN: 978-0-281-05833-4 Price: £9.99 |
Published: 23 August 2007 |
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How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change a Christian- A Pocket Guide to Shrinking Your Ecological Footprintby Claire Foster and David Shreeve |
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ISBN: 978-0-715-14127-4 Price: £4.99 |
Published: Summer 2007 |
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