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A biblical perspective on environmental issues and climate change, and how Christians should respond.
Part of the Talking Points series.
Environmental issues, and climate change in particular, provoke intense debate and discussion all around the world, with a whole range of opinions over their priority and what action should be taken. How should Christians respond?
This short, thought-provoking book helps readers to think about the key issues surrounding the environment and climate change through the lens of Scripture.
Author Dave Gobbett traces the he significance of the earth in the Bible's big story, from creation to new creation, and explores what our God-given responsibilities are. He suggests a range of practical responses that Christians can consider.
Readers will be equipped to have godly conversations on this topical issue.
There is a discussion guide in the back as well as a Ministry Pack available, making this book ideal for small groups to read together.
Introduction
1. This Is My Father's World
2. Living as God’s Image in the Twenty-First Century
3. Tomorrow Never Dies
4. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
Discussion Guide
| Contributors | Dave Gobbett |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784987923 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | October 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
In this book Dave takes scripture, handles it carefully, wisely and faithfully and helps us to see how and why practical concern for our environment should be a feature of every Christian's life. As Dave puts it, we are called to neither abuse nor to withdraw from God's creation - which leaves only one option: to care for it, and to do so prayerfully and sacrificially.
We can’t claim to follow Jesus while being indifferent to what he has made. This excellent book gets right to the heart of what the Bible says about the physical world around us. Insightful, vital and inspiring.
This little book is a wonderful reminder that this is our Father's world. He loves it, and so should we. Dave casts a vision for healthy Christian engagement with environmental concerns without losing sight of our calling to make disciples.
Largely a good intro but I felt it glossed over a few issues and how climate change impacts people (aside from a few mentions of Bangladesh). The certainty that the world will keep on spinning might be true, but it doesn’t allow for what state our world might get to before Jesus returns - especially given the speed at which we’ve wrecked things, which the book acknowledges.
Overall though, a good intro to get conversations going.
The assumption is made in the first chapter of this book that the world is warming faster than it ever has done and thus is causing climate change with consequent angst for Greta. So if you seek a fair understanding from a scientific point of view, let alone from a Christian worldview perspective you need to look elsewhere. A book which does not draw from primary sources on such an issue but quotes from the BBC will not give you a balanced view.
It fails to grapple with the question as to whether the biofuels found in the Earth’s crust (as a result of the global Flood?) have been given by God as a blessing and not as a curse as is assumed by today’s narrative.
It seems to be unaware that there are other possible reasons for the recent global warming and the data which shows that the current warming stopped about 20 years ago and that temperatures started to rise before Co2, another gift of God to creation, started to rise.
Excellent value at optimal length for popular level biblical theological approach to the environment.
I've been a real fan of these Talking Points books that the Good Book Company have produced as they're both biblical and actually very practical, showing what Christians need to be thinking about/wrestling with when thinking about some pretty tricky (and often controversial) topics. They're also very good value and easy to read.
This volume looking at the environment is just as good as the ones that have come before and shows us how our view of the environment needs to be shaped by our picture of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. Gobbett helps us to understand what it looks like to lovingly rule creation, finding the middle ground between withdrawing from creation and abusing creation. There's plenty of biblical-theological reflection as well as lots of really practical application too.
I'm also very thankful for the discussion guide questions available at the end of the book so that I could use this with my small group of youth group if we fancied doing a topical series about it sometime soon.
This is a quick, short delve into the topic. It is honest in stating that Christians, like all people, may well have differing opinions on the topic and is written with an air of humility, also acknowledging that we may not have all the answers! There are differing opinions that everyone needs to be respected and listened to.
But it does highlight that Christians have a unique viewpoint on the topic, in that we believe the world was created by God, and so we are called to respect and care for His creation.
This book does not tell us how to think or how to respond, but it presents the facts of what the Bible says and points towards, leaving the reader the space to make up their own mind.
The Environment is a really great introduction to this topic, offering a balanced, sensible view of the issues, encouraging a wise perspective. In my view, this is not a subject that we, as Christians, should be passive about. I feel we need to consider our response and act, and this book will enable the space for individuals to decide their own response, to prioritise those actions that are appropriate for their own lives.
I was interested in this book as I haven't seen any others like it. The discussion of environmental issues has been prevalent in the last several years and continues to rise with urgency. But I have never heard anyone speak or read any books that related the environmental concerns through a Biblical lens.
Gobbett is straightforward from the start, stating that the book is not all encompassing, but rather a summary of talking points that will help discussion and further thinking about the topics.
He structures the book with four very simple chapters:
- Greeting Greta
- My Father's World
- Kings and queens of Narnia
- Tomorrow never dies
Gobbett approaches the subject of environment through biblical doctrines such as creation, sin, humanity, redemption, the end times and the end of the church. He doesn't provide the answers that some may be searching for in regards to environmental issues. Rather, he provides a biblical context and lens for us to address those questions.
It was all very interesting to read through and forced further discussion and pondering beyond the book itself. The book concludes with both a chapter addressing the applicability in our daily lives and a discussion guide for groups.
I received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
