Courting Chaos

“A master of intertextuality, Durrant brings together his three main sources—Jeremiah’s prophecies, artistic creations, and our contemporary crises—with profound insight and skill. Not a comfortable vision, but a necessary one and in the end a hopeful one, too.”


—Jonathan Ingleby, former Head of Mission Studies, Redcliffe College





“This timely exploration of climate change uses the prophecy of Jeremiah, poetry, and art, which both separately and together enable the reader’s imagination to flow and biblical reflection to grow. The words of Jeremiah in the face of the Babylonian annihilation of Judah are creatively applied to our modern context, presenting the Christian church with the stark challenge of scientific analysis, the failure of governments, and yet the hope in God’s love beyond the chaos brought about by a deteriorating climate. This is a book of the moment.”


—John Weaver, Vice President, the John Ray Initiative connecting Environment, Science & Christianity





“To understand the relevance of the prophets to modern life—please read this. Kevin shows how the prophetic voice illuminates the crucial issue of our day—the climate and ecological emergency—by wonderfully combining scriptural insight with contemporary art and culture. I knew something of the former, but nothing of the latter—one of many reasons why I am grateful to have read this book.”


—Nick Read, Director, the Brightspace Foundation





“The ecological crisis is the great issue of our time, and our generation will be judged by the effectiveness of our response. In this significant book, Durrant draws on deeps wells of spirituality, experience of practical engagement, artwork, and poetry, all in conversation with the prophecies of Jeremiah, to craft an insightful and thought-provoking contribution to our thinking and our praying. We are being weighed in the balances. If we take Kevin’s thought seriously, we may not be found wanting.”


—Stephen Finamore, Principal, Bristol Baptist College