Green Faith: Christian Environmental Books

It’s not easy going green. Yet, when asked, a majority of 15-24 year olds listed ‘a sustainable environment’ as the number one priority to make the world a better place in 2030. With a whopping 52% of the respondent's primary concern, putting it 21-percent-points above ‘A Sustainable Society’ and 35-percent-points above ‘A Sustainable Economy’, working towards the preservation and sustainability of the Earth’s environment is not a topic for dismissal. We have only ever had this one Earth, and the call to cultivate it in a way that protects is not only a human mandate but a spiritual one too. It’s not easy, but as is proven by the floods of demonstrations and evidence, as well as real-world flood events amongst other meteorological anomalies, something must be done.

If we are to represent a creator, we must look after His creation. Otherwise, we are doing both a disservice at best.

Helping to show the Biblical and spiritual side of our environmental actions, I've hand-picked a selection of books that help address the urgency of environmental change from a Christian perspective.

Everyday Justice by Tom Sine and Christine Sine

Making a difference isn’t all about the grand gestures, the protests and placards and petitions (although, all of them are definitely worth doing). Sometimes it just requires us to be a little more aware of our everyday choices, and how we can make little changes that add up over time. Everyday Justice helps us see the impact of modern life and the ways we can use our choices to bring about a fairer, more sustainable world.

L Is For Lifestyle by Ruth Valerio

With a similar emphasis on small gestures and choices, environmentalist/theologian Ruth Valerio offers an A-Z of ways we can nudge our lifestyles into a greener direction that doesn’t cost the Earth.

God's Green Book by Bryony Webb and Charlotte Sleigh

The Bible is a great many things to a great many people, but with its fervent teaching on nature and celebrations of the wonder of Creation, perhaps the greatest manifesto for environmental chance was sitting on our shelves the whole time?

Bryony Webb and Charlotte Sleigh employ a simple Bible-study format to help communicate a message that intertwines faith and green living.

God Doesn't Do Waste by Dave Bookless

It is all very well, you may say, for environmental activists and writers to show how to live a greener life, but I just don’t have time for that. Well, neither did the Bookless family. God Doesn't Do Waste is the account of God challenging Dave Bookless and his family to make changes for the greener. That’s how it starts out, but it becomes so much more by the end, as Dave discover how waste can mean much more than a crisp-packet on the floor or a tip in need of changing.

Keeping God's Earth edited by Noah J. Toly and Daniel I. Block

Bringing a more theological voice to environmental stewardship, Keeping God's Earth features a collection of writings and essays that unpick the symbolic and spiritual meaning of varying facets of life on Earth. As each one brings new value to nature, you’ll soon find a growing admiration for creation, and a drive to safeguard it’s newly revealed beauty.

Redeeming Creation by Fred H. Van Dyke, David C. Mahan, Joseph K. Sheldon, and Raymond H. Brand

This book has a little bit of everything; real-life stories, Bible studies, scientific findings, theological approaches and passionate pleas for change. Redeeming Creation is a book that wears it’s environmental heart on its sleeve so much, you’ll find inspiration to both celebrate and care for a complex and fascinating world.

Jesus and the Earth by James Jones

Focusing on the environmental example set by Jesus, as well as what his teaching has to say about the ways in which we live, the then Bishop of Liverpool James Jones followed his own concern for creation as he unpicked what a divine 'earth-ethic' looks like.

Wild Lent / Wild Advent / Wild Worship (coming Aug 2019) by Rachel Summers

The best experience of creation is always found outdoors. Whether for Lend, Advent or times of Worship, Rachel Summer’ Wild series of books are filled with activities and crafts rooted in nature. Each one shares the message of a creative and powerful God, and offers fun ways that children can discover, and look after the world around them.

Wellies are a must!

A Little Moment of Wonder for Children by Jenny Meldrum

Creation is so much more than the mud and sticks and woods. It is every living, breathing plant and creature that fills the world with a burst of colour and creativity. This small, reflective book helps encourage children to develop both a wonder and a curiosity about the amazing things in existence.

Outdoor Church by Sally Welch

The environment was made for all of us, and this book helps Church leaders break the Sunday mould by taking everyone out of their seats and into the world around them. Written to help reconnect your Church with creation, Outdoor Church features service outlines, activities, stories and rainy-day alternatives (this is Britain, after all) that are engaging and environmentally based.