Earthkeeping and Character: Exploring a Christian Ecological Virtue Ethic

by Steven Bouma-Prediger

Addressing a topic of growing and vital concern, this book asks us to reconsider how we think about the natural world and our place in it. Steven Bouma-Prediger brings ecotheology into conversation with the emerging field of environmental virtue ethics, exploring the character traits and virtues required for Christians to be responsible keepers of the earth and to flourish in the challenging decades to come. He shows how virtue ethics can enrich Christian environmentalism, helping readers think and act in ways that rightly value creation.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Ecology, Nature, Environment

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2019

About the author

Steven Bouma-Prediger (PhD, University of Chicago) is Leonard and Marjorie Maas Professor of Reformed Theology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He regularly writes and speaks on environmental issues and is the author of For the Beauty of the Earth.

Reviews

[Sondra Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a dense read has its place, I felt as if I were reading a textbook. It would make a wonderful textbook, actually. Note to reader: this is a Christian-based approach to the subject of ecology.

There were so many valuable messages to take away from this book. What resonated most with me was the question, "What kind of person would do such a thing?" when we look at the destruction of the beautiful creatures and scenery around us. What kind of person would not only participate in the defilement and destruction of our planet, but even take enjoyment from it?

Conversely, we can ask "What kind of person would do such a thing?" when we see the good being done in the world by people who are willing to donate their time and money, and even dedicate their very lives, to preserving and protecting our planet. I hope to be better at being such a person.

[Saundra · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, this reads more like a textbook. Since I’m several years removed from college-style writing, I found myself re-reading sentences several times in order to understand the concept, but that is not a bad thing.

Secondly, there is a rhythm to the author’s writing. Each chapter covers specific virtues philosophically, explores what the Bible says about those virtues, and then applies those virtues to earthkeeping. This pattern helped me through the academic-ness of the book.

Lastly, this book helps to springboard the reader into further reading of other books that explore earthkeeping. I found this helpful.

Learning about caring for the earth (both human and nonhuman) through the lenses of different virtues was a new idea to me and one I found to be very helpful as I consider this topic.

[Mica Shive · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I made a twelve week devotional for it. In Spanish and English. That should give you a lot of insight into who I am.😅

There are so many things I could say about this book (12 weeks worth lol). My prayer for all that read this book is it that in learning and paying attention to the earth and all of creation, you will see God. My prayer is that when you see God in creation, you will be moved to care for creation with precision and justice. All as a sign of worship and thanksgiving to God. May you build the virtues that are required to marvel and care for our earth. Lmk if you want to the devo with me🙈😅

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what I had expected but this book is intensive and extensive. It takes the subject on as if we are in crisis, taking the attitude of How dare we treat the natural world so disrespectfully.
While written from a Christian perspective, it will resonate for non-Christians as well.
This would be a great bible study and could make a great series of sermons

[Graham Hoppstock · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really helpful things in this book, such as a taxonomy of moral goods which Bouma-Prediger relates to ecological ethics. As a whole though, this book is pretty disenchanting and theologically malnourished, at least in terms of its imagination.