Innovative
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Essential resources for green Christians - Krish Kandiah 

Recommended books:

L is for Lifestyle (revised edition) Ruth Valerio

Ruth Valerio’s excellent alphabetical journey of 26 ways christians can care for creation in everyday living. I really liked the original edition of this book because of its down to earth style, its practical help and its good biblical grounding. This new edition is even better – with nicer (but still renewably sourced) paper and a funkier cover. Ruth is not an armchair theorist on this subject – she is actively involved in her hometown making a difference. This is a great book – and a great gift idea too. Check out Ruth’s work or read an extract.

Planetwise Dave Bookless

Not just a book but also a small group resource. Dave Bookless, the head of the UK’s Aroche environmental group, has given us a passionate and yet theologically rigorous exploration of Green issues.The last four chapters in particular raise some important issues looking at: discipleship, worship, lifestyle and mission “as if creation matters.” This book helps us put our theology into practice as many of our churches are living with quasi Gnostic/Docetic tendencies, living as if creation doesn’t matter at all. Why not read an extract of Dave’s book.

The Green Bible published by HarperCollins

I was a little sceptical about yet another speciality Bible. The danger is that by highlighting certain texts we are somehow saying they have more significance than others which undercut the authority of all scripture. We are also in danger of arguing that a Bible needs to fit a certain agenda rather than letting it speak on every subject. Nevertheless a friend of mine gave this Bible as a gift to their non-christian father and it opened a lot of important questions as he decided to read the whole thing. Perhaps this Bible, as with the Poverty and Justice Bible, are merely correcting a major blind spot that we evangelicals have had in not hearing what the Bible has to say on these vital issues.

Available through HarperCollins

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH Steven Bouma Prediger

The most theologically rigorous engagement with green issues. This is part of the Baker academic series and so does not come cheap – but it is well worth the asking price. Available through Wesley Owen.

 

Recommended online resources

Christian Ecology Link

This broad coalition of catholic and protestant groups have some helpful resources online including a helpful list of Christian Environmental events for 2009. Patrons include Bishop James Jones and Dr Elaine Storkey.

My Footprint

Take the ecological footprint quiz – you may be surprised at the results.

Breathe Network

A great resource to help evangelicals think about living more simply.

Arocha

ARocha is a Christian nature conservation organisation, running projects that are frequently cross-cultural in character, and share a community emphasis, with a focus on science and research, practical conservation and environmental education.

FutureShape

FutureShape is a new resource from A Rocha, BMS World Mission, and the Baptist Unions of Great Britian, Scotland and Wales to help churches explore creation care from a biblical perspective. The resource includes a set of studies especially for ministers, plus another set for using in small groups – both sets of studies are provided in both English and Welsh versions.