A New Climate For Theology

Book Review.

McFague, Sallie.  A New Climate For Theology.  God, the world, and global warming.  Fortress Press, Minneapolis. 2008.

S.M.-  Distinguished Theologian in Residence at the Vancouver School of Theology.  Carpenter Professor of Theology Emeritus at Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Comment.  Henry.

My reason for pulling this title off the library shelf has to do with the challenge of not becoming myopic in my reading.  As a theology resource this book would probably be found in a 300 or 400 course.  I have no prerequisites in theology so this read was somewhat beyond me.  There was enough material in the book that I did understand to give me an appreciation for the problem of global warming that I did not have before.

The case is made for the reality of global warming.  “The environmental crisis (GW) is a theological problem, a problem coming from views of God and ourselves that encourages or permits destructive, unjust actions.” (31)  The evidence of climate change has been substantiated by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Care for the creation must be part of the gospel message.  A comparison is presented between “A communitarian view of human beings (and) an anthropocentric view.” (32)

A paradigm change needs to happen from an “individualistic anthropology to an ecological anthropology.” (44)   “Ecology is the most fundamental study imaginable.” (50)  We need “ecological unity.” (53)

From anthropology the author turns to “a typology of God- world relationships.” (66)  An interesting conclusion to this discussion is posed, “Creation Christianity or Redemption Christianity.” (79)

Christianity should support an ecological model of economics.  “Living within the world as God’s Body” (112) presents the concept of the environment as a place and an object of worship.  The author admits to being a friend of pantheism.  As urban dwellers we must retain a focus on nature.

A different world of “human dignity and the integrity of creation” (143) is possible.  Because of God there is hope as we face the responsibility for the care of our ailing planet.