Doctrine in Shades of Green
Theological Perspective for Environmental Ethics
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
How we come to our conclusions about ethical issues matters as much as the specific policies or practices we commend. This book argues that four key doctrines form a theological perspective for environmental ethics. They are the key ideas upon which people build their ethics of the environment. By looking at the doctrines of revelation, creation, anthropology, and eschatology, we can find points of contact to work together more effectively for the common good and have more meaningful debates when our positions differ. This book uses examples from four different theological positions--ecotheology, theological liberalism, fundamentalism, and evangelicalism--to show that a creation-positive ethic is possible from all of these positions, and it explores why people who stand within various theological streams may engage in environmental issues in diverse ways.
Andrew J. Spencer has a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a senior research fellow for the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics. He lives with his family in Monroe, Michigan. He was editor of The Christian Mind of C. S. Lewis (2019). More of his writing can be found online at www.EthicsAndCulture.com.
“This book is important in that it offers and explores a theological foundation upon which Christians from differing traditions can engage in a robust discussion about their common goal of caring for creation. In this volume, not only does Spencer provide readers with the tools they will need to enter into common dialogue, but also he winsomely demonstrates the need to center such discussion upon theological doctrine that will lead to practical application.”
—David W. Jones, Professor of Christian Ethics, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Our world is filled with ‘scissor statements’ that slice people into two clean—sometimes too clean—groups. . . . Spencer’s book is a must-read because he shows that environmental ethics is far more complex and, in fact, closely related to four important doctrinal issues. . . . Spencer sets the stage for far more helpful conversations about the care of God’s creation and about the connection between what we believe about God and how we go about living faithfully in his world.”
—Jacob Shatzer, Assistant Provost, Union University
“In Doctrine in Shades of Green, Andrew Spencer explores four different theological types of ‘ecotheology’ and, in doing so, helps us to think well about God’s world and our relationship to it. I recommend this book to anyone hoping to understand better what it means to steward what God has made and given to us.”
—Matthew Y. Emerson, Dean of Theology, Arts, and Humanities, Oklahoma Baptist University
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