Hospitable Planet: Faith, Action, and Climate Change

by Stephen Jurovics

United Methodist Women’s Reading Group Selection “What can I do about the environment? What has God said about the environment?” Most books about climate change only address one of these questions. Those from a religious perspective do not address what individuals can do to help society transition from fossil fuels, other than changing personal behavior. Readers know instinctively that will not suffice, and so are left feeling the situation is hopeless. In contrast, books that primarily address environmental issues fail to reach people motivated more by faith than science, leaving out many who could constitute the tipping point for full American engagement on the issue.

Borrowing an approach from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership, which brought together both secular and religious arguments for ending segregation, this book addresses physical evidence of climate change while demonstrating through biblical teachings the religious imperative for preserving our inherited world. The compelling biblical case for creation care is grounded in environmental teachings Jesus knew, primarily in the Hebrew Scriptures. Topics addressed include air pollution, treatment of the land, preserving biological diversity, and treatment of animals, and each is connected to contemporary issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, care of the needy, the extinction of species, and factory farming.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Nature, Science, Theology, Environment

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2016

Reviews

[Andy Oram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read several books about Jewish thought and the environment, I can vouch that Jurovics's book offers unusual and stimulating new ideas. The book focuses on the Jewish tradition (including the Talmud, Maimonides, and more) but also brings in relevant Gospel passages, so it is very relevant to a Christian approach to the climate. The spiritual thrust, involving awareness and restraint in relation to our exploitation of the Earth, is supported very nicely through texts. But Jurovics does much more: in the second half of the book he presents inspiration and an agenda for change. The urgency of this is heightened since Trump has threatened to dismantle the modest progress made by earlier administrations in the US. Thus, the two halves of the book work on very different levels--the religious and the secular--but are tied together by the author's themes. I feel that Jurovics holds back from describing the true horrors that climate change will bring--getting to the worst around Chapter 12--but he may have made the decision to appeal to our better natures rather than try to scare us (which might misfire). One major impression he made on me to was to see that nuclear power, despite its dubious history up to now, can be improved and may be part of the solution. As an engineer with many years of experience in environmental work, Jurovics is trustworthy in evaluating the science. People who respect reason and science as well as the Western religious tradition will get much from this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I'm glad to read a book on climate change from a Christian, I was pretty disappointed with this book. If you are already heavily engaged in climate change and align with the Left, you'll probably agree with everything he says. But I would not give this book to a Christian who is skeptical of climate change and it expect it to change their minds, which seems to be one of the main goals of the book.

I found his arguments for why Christians should be involved in environmental efforts to be simplistic and lacking in nuance. The whole first section is devoted to refuting the traditional understanding of Genesis 1:28 and pulls out other verses from the OT to prove that God cares how we treat the planet. But to pin the entire perspective of Christian climate change skeptics on Genesis 1:28 doesn't really get to the heart of why exactly Christians aren't at the forefront of this issue. For this, I James K. A. Smith has a much deeper understanding of what's really holding us back or - even more directly related, Pope Francis' Encyclical on Climate Change which goes right to the heart of the issue..

After he presents his arguments for why Christians should engage (many of which, even though I technically agree with him, don't find compelling or convincing), he promises to present action items for ways Christians can get involved. But this is equally disappointing as it really just boils down to "Call your congressman", "Sign a petition," "Go to the march", and "Green-ify your home." Of course, none of the recommendations are wrong per se. But I could get from any other resource.

I was hoping for a book that presented a unique theology of climate engagement built out of our Christian perspective that is unique and creative. Instead, he approaches it from the pre-existing position of the left and uses Bible verses to back it up.

Again, I don't disagree with anything he says. His action items and his verse selections aren't wrong. They just don't go to the heart of the matter, present a unique perspective, or engage with the issue any differently.

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author uses both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament to show those of Christian and Jewish Faith that the word of God does not allow us to have dominion over the planet but instead commands us to treat it with loving care. He makes several good points - while each of us should do what we can, it's going to take power to conquer the power of those who deny climate change. He also refers to how the big guns, e.g. tobacco, gasoline giants can engage in "shadow play" and divert the public's attention from scientific evidence for years while they continue to avoid spending bucks to avoid making changes all the while continuing to pocket big bucks. Another point is that just as Christian and Jewish faiths got behind Martin Luther King, so should they get behind climate change. I live in a state which has had decades of boom-and-bust fossil fuel economy. Long before the words "climate change" or "global warming" were added to our vacabularly, long before the obvious clamatous changes we have seen, I have been saying as the author said, that employing miners and putting big bucks into the mining companies is not a viable goal. We need to diversify and find new ecomimic sources, find different uses for coal.

[John Warner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was selected to be read by Education for Ministry, a program of practical theology of the University of the South. I found the authors arguments to be simplistic and repetitive with little more than correlational evidence. Biblical evidence for environment action was heavily weighted on Genesis 1:26. The author insisted on immediate action to slow climate change without any discussion regarding ramification or cost of such action. For example, he recommended lighter and stronger carbon fibers in the construction of cars and airplanes, a manufacturing process which would reduce energy consumptions. Who would be against this? However, when I learned that this technology would result in the price tag for the vehicle being 10X the current prices, I knew why. However, the book did promote good discussion.

[Kerith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really appreciate the book until I hit the second half, where he gets into the ways to actually make changes to how we live and use energy. That was helpful and I learned things I didn't know about. Plus I grinned ruefully when I realized it was published in the year the 45th president got elected, so all the good works he talks about were stomped on by the time I read this.
Still, useful.
I just didn't think that using the Bible to convince someone to take care of our planet (and in so doing, our neighbors) was going to work well. If they don't already get that, well, stretching the use of a few Bible verses just isn't going to help. He also never mentions the problem of those who believe wholly in that unscriptural idea called the Rapture (and all that comes with it) and therefore think there is no point to taking care of our fragile Earth. Don't get me started.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Jurovics at my church. So I had to read the book. The book is good and an excellent way to understand creation care from a Jewish faith based perspective. He has written a thoughtful and sensitive book on why everyone should care for God's creation. My one critique is that his solutions section is now dated. So pick up the book and read it but know some of the solutions particularly the nuclear section is outdated and no longer feasible.

[Bethany Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am 100% on board with the premise of this book, but (a) at this point the content is dated and (b) the author is covering a lot of info in not enough pages. The book either needs to be longer or more focused. In addition, I did not like the "cherry-picking" of verses. I think one can get the point across without doing that. That being said, this book might be helpful for someone who is not yet on board with addressing the climate crisis.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main problem with this book is that he's arguing with people who aren't reading it. People who take the Bible literally and believe that Genesis 1:28 says we can do whatever the hell we want to the planet no matter how detrimental aren't reading this and won't be convinced by arguments from the Talmud.

The second problem is that he can't settle on a topic. Biblical mentions of taking care of nature? Climate change? Factory farming? Biodiversity? Species extinction? Animal awareness of God because a story in the Bible mentions a donkey noticing an angel? Green energy sources? I get the common thread but as someone in my group put it these would have worked better as a series of articles.

The third is that his advice isn't particularly novel: write your congressman, sign a petition, join a protest. Put solar panels on your house, buy a hybrid car. Thanks, man. Next you'll be telling me to reduce, reuse, recycle.

[Barbara W. Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the standpoint of easy enjoyable read ing I could not have the book more than a three. However, from the standpoint of causing me to reflect and ask "what can and what should I do" it would be a


I would give it a three. However, from a standpoint of making me ask "what could or should I be doing" it is a four or four and a half.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look into why the Talmud/Bible compels those that live by them to be environmentalists. I love his arguements. And the way he breaks down action into simple steps makes me want to examine what else I can do (I already do a fair bit) to make the neccessary changes to save this gift that the divine has made us stewards over.

[Carol B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moral imperative

The Hospitable Planet focuses on the moral imperative for people of faith to work toward protecting Creation for the future. We are on the precipice of an environmental crisis which will only be averted if people of faith join with scientists in confronting the resistance of profit hungry big business.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too repetitive and somewhat condescending at times. I felt he went too far in bringing in the talmud, that’s after Jesus’ time. The people who need convincing would not care about that. This book need to narrow it’s aim to a specific crowd it won’t probably get to reach anyways. The second half had actual can do items but too many big items.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jurovics sets environmental activism in a Biblical context. Part of living Biblically and obeying God is honoring God's good creation. The author fixes his ideas within a Biblical framework in which he shows how disregard of creation-care is the willful ignoring of God's intent for humanity. He also gives very practical ideas for how individuals and churches can be involved in creation care.

[Asa Swain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book, but not earth shattering. I liked the mix of biblical commentary and environmental history. At lot of the policy suggestions were familiar to me.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For EFM. Felt that it was dated.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my Education for Ministry (EfM) seminar group. Part I was very interesting and spurred much conversation on the theological roots of creation care and how the author is focused on Genesis 1:12 as well as Deuternomy. For many in my group, it was a new way of viewing creation care as they had never done so from a theological sense. Written only six years ago, the book is already out of date as to the statistics, facts, and explanations that make up Parts II and III. Thankfully, the author offered a webinar over Zoom to discuss the book and bring his thoughts on the topic up-to-date. I recommend this book for anyone interested in making a connection between scripture and the challenges of climate change. For those well-versed in the science, the theological gives a good balance. For those who already "get it," a more recent publication would be more helpful. But it certainly spurred a lively conversation!