edited by R.J. Berry. Published by Inter-Varsity Press, pp192

ISBN: 9781844741809 £11.99

 

This collection of contributions by Christian academics of world-renown in their fields seeks to give a Christian perspective on the question of environmental sustainability.  This is important  as we seek to witness to a Creator God, to our belief in the environment as Creation and to the faith values which stem from that.

 

The Brundtland report’s definition of sustainable development as that which ‘seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future’ is accepted by all the contributors as they subject their expert accounts of climate change, biodiversity, over-consumption, economics, agriculture, water and waste to its challenge. The contributors are all Christians but their chapters are weighted towards their professional areas rather than their faith.  However, that is not the case with the opening and final chapters.  

 

The opening chapter gives an overview of the history of and approaches to the environmental movement, both secular and Christian, and presents an evangelical argument as to why a Christian approach is crucial to our witness. The final chapter is a reflection on Isaiah 55 which sees this passage as a prophetic call to Christians to live in harmony with Creation and the Creator, and sees that imperative also exemplified in the new covenant expressed in the Eucharist. This interpretation links back to the foreword where the editor of this collection states that the root cause of un-sustainability is a lack of justice which is contrary to the kingdom of God to which we look forward in heaven and also for which we work on earth.

 

If you want to read about the theology or Biblical study which underpins Christian environmentalism you will need to look elsewhere, but as an introduction to the interdisciplinary approach needed for sustainability from a Christian perspective this is a useful book - and it does have a full bibliography for those wanting to explore further.

 

 

David Coaker is coordinator of Creation Challenge and serves as a URC minister in Warrington.