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Planetwise: Dare to Care for God's World
I was in the act of throwing away my family's rubbish while holidaying on a beautiful island when I heard God speak. I could easily have missed it, but an inner whisper asked, "How do you think I feel about what you are doing to my world?"
Since the day God challenged him, Dave Bookless has been on a mission: to share with others the compelling biblical case for caring for the planet God made for his glory and his people's enjoyment. This is not another book on green issues to make you feel guilty. The message is that there is hope. God can take your small and insignificant efforts and multiply them in his great plan. Dave takes us right into the heart of his family and shows how living simply, besides honouring God, can be an exciting adventure.
Since the day God challenged him, Dave Bookless has been on a mission: to share with others the compelling biblical case for caring for the planet God made for his glory and his people's enjoyment. This is not another book on green issues to make you feel guilty. The message is that there is hope. God can take your small and insignificant efforts and multiply them in his great plan. Dave takes us right into the heart of his family and shows how living simply, besides honouring God, can be an exciting adventure.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 8, 2017
Recent years have seen a proliferation of books on a Christian approach to environmental care. We have had Russell, the Hodgsons, White and Spencer, Berry and Bookless. Why the resurgence of interest? What is interesting is that most of these authors have imbibed a neocalvinist framework: creation, fall and redemption. Many via Tom Wright and his amplification of the three stage into a five part play. Such is the case of Bookless in this book.
Bookless was throwing away some rubbish while on holiday when he felt God spoke in an inner whisper to him 'How do you think I feel about what you are doing to my world?' This book is the result of careful thought about that revelation and shift in perspective. As he puts it: 'God spoke, creation groaned, and worship could never be the same again'.
Bookless is the National Director of A Rocha UK, a Christian environmental group, so this book is the result of thought and action. This is no armchair theorising.
He starts by utilising Tom Wright's five acts framework of Creation, Fall, Israel, Jesus and the present future age. These form the first five chapters of the book. He writes in an engaging and helpful way. Though I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on the cultural mandate. His approach is very accessible and readable, each chapter ends with three questions which aid reflection and discussion. The influence of another Wright - Christopher J. H. - is also evident here. Not only in the number of triangles but with the emphasis on land.
The remaining chapters, 6-9, all look have the title: 'Living it out: X as if creation matters'. Where X is discipleship, worship, lifestyle and mission. Here we see these important topics in the light of creation. He makes an important observation: 'Can you spot Christians by the cars that they drive (not just the the bumper stickers)...?' p.117. There are many wise practical and attainable ideas for how we can make our discipleship and lifestyle consistent with our beliefs and he manages to do it in a way that is not guilt inducing.
Unfortunately, there is no index, but there are three pages of end notes and two and a half pages of useful resources.
This is one of the best of the recent spate of green books. Highly recommended!
Bookless was throwing away some rubbish while on holiday when he felt God spoke in an inner whisper to him 'How do you think I feel about what you are doing to my world?' This book is the result of careful thought about that revelation and shift in perspective. As he puts it: 'God spoke, creation groaned, and worship could never be the same again'.
Bookless is the National Director of A Rocha UK, a Christian environmental group, so this book is the result of thought and action. This is no armchair theorising.
He starts by utilising Tom Wright's five acts framework of Creation, Fall, Israel, Jesus and the present future age. These form the first five chapters of the book. He writes in an engaging and helpful way. Though I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on the cultural mandate. His approach is very accessible and readable, each chapter ends with three questions which aid reflection and discussion. The influence of another Wright - Christopher J. H. - is also evident here. Not only in the number of triangles but with the emphasis on land.
The remaining chapters, 6-9, all look have the title: 'Living it out: X as if creation matters'. Where X is discipleship, worship, lifestyle and mission. Here we see these important topics in the light of creation. He makes an important observation: 'Can you spot Christians by the cars that they drive (not just the the bumper stickers)...?' p.117. There are many wise practical and attainable ideas for how we can make our discipleship and lifestyle consistent with our beliefs and he manages to do it in a way that is not guilt inducing.
Unfortunately, there is no index, but there are three pages of end notes and two and a half pages of useful resources.
This is one of the best of the recent spate of green books. Highly recommended!
April 25, 2024
"Caring for creation is essential to following Jesus Christ" (16). That's the conviction of A Rocha UK director Dave Bookless, and this book is his explanation of the why and the how. The first half looks at a biblical theology of creation care, and the second half is focused on "living it out" in discipleship, worship, lifestyle and mission. Dave Bookless shows how God is concerned for creation, how his plans are not just limited to humans, how he has appointed us as stewards and caretakers, and how we find the best motivation for creation care in love.
I don't agree with all of the author's exegesis or conclusions, and I think there is insufficient reflection on the nature of the cultural mandate and its relationship to the Great Commission. But there is a lot of helpful, wise, practical theology here, which despite the rapidly changing environment remains an important read 16 years later.
I don't agree with all of the author's exegesis or conclusions, and I think there is insufficient reflection on the nature of the cultural mandate and its relationship to the Great Commission. But there is a lot of helpful, wise, practical theology here, which despite the rapidly changing environment remains an important read 16 years later.
April 2, 2025
Despite being almost 20 years old and having a subpar title, this was excellent! Will be my go-to recommendation for Christians thinking about ecological issues. Gives a good overview of Biblical teaching and offers rich theology while being practical, Christ centered, and humble. Given how politicized this issue has become in North America, it was also refreshing to get a British perspective.
September 20, 2019
Iluminador
Una gran revisión a las ideas del cristianismo sobre la actual crisis medioambiental. Los mismos pasajes de la Biblia que conozco de niña, puestos en la perspectiva de la teología de la creación. Y frente al reto monumental que tenemos, se hace presente la esperanza.
Una gran revisión a las ideas del cristianismo sobre la actual crisis medioambiental. Los mismos pasajes de la Biblia que conozco de niña, puestos en la perspectiva de la teología de la creación. Y frente al reto monumental que tenemos, se hace presente la esperanza.
July 31, 2021
How far does God's Good News reach? Is caring for the environment part of the Christian mission?
According to Dave Bookless, the answer is clearly yes. The book "Planetwise" speaks of God, of ecology and of your responsibility.
He defends his position with biblical references as well as quotes from influential theologians such as Dr. N. T. Wright, Walter Brueggemann, Juergen Moltmann and James Jones, Archbishop of Liverpool.
But this is not a theoretical book. The author shares his own personal transformation after understanding God's concern for His creation. This led to a significant lifestyle change for his whole family and a commitment to work with A Rocha, a Christian organisation that motivates people to get involved in protecting nature. It is a challenging book without being legalistic or overly burdensome.
There are also practical suggestions about sustainability in relation to our shopping, eating, waste and travel habits, as well as tips on how to reduce your CO2 consumption at home.
Appealing colour images from around the world illustrate the book's message.
According to Dave Bookless, the answer is clearly yes. The book "Planetwise" speaks of God, of ecology and of your responsibility.
He defends his position with biblical references as well as quotes from influential theologians such as Dr. N. T. Wright, Walter Brueggemann, Juergen Moltmann and James Jones, Archbishop of Liverpool.
But this is not a theoretical book. The author shares his own personal transformation after understanding God's concern for His creation. This led to a significant lifestyle change for his whole family and a commitment to work with A Rocha, a Christian organisation that motivates people to get involved in protecting nature. It is a challenging book without being legalistic or overly burdensome.
There are also practical suggestions about sustainability in relation to our shopping, eating, waste and travel habits, as well as tips on how to reduce your CO2 consumption at home.
Appealing colour images from around the world illustrate the book's message.
August 2, 2018
This is a book to recommend unreservedly and I will be pushing to have it made available to other members of Widcombe and beyond.
Dave Bookless writes as one with a clear biblical faith and a passion for God's agenda. The difference is that he embraces and expounds an agenda much wider than usually adopted in our churches.
The theology is not heavy but it is convincing.
The approach is balanced and respectful.
The actions are practical and achievable.
His endorsement of Arocha is fully justified.
Dave Bookless writes as one with a clear biblical faith and a passion for God's agenda. The difference is that he embraces and expounds an agenda much wider than usually adopted in our churches.
The theology is not heavy but it is convincing.
The approach is balanced and respectful.
The actions are practical and achievable.
His endorsement of Arocha is fully justified.
July 1, 2019
Heel goed basisboek voor christelijk en groen omgaan met de schepping. Het is meer een geloofs-boek dan een doe-boek, en juist daardoor een inspiratiebron voor het doen. Bookless heeft sober maar trefzeker ook zijn eigen zoektocht erin verwerkt. Zijn theologie en exegese zijn af en toe wat kort door de bocht of oppervlakkig. (Het boek las ik in de NL vertaling, maar die staat niet in het bestand van Goodread)
May 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this book as it was challenging and brought a new perspective on the climate crisis that concluded that Christians should be at the forefront of it which I agree. I think its simplicity was also helpful in understanding how the bible is quite clear on how creation should be valued as part of Jesus’ salvation.
June 13, 2017
Dave Bookless has some good advices, but I think the book is a little bit boring. Some ideas are overwrought and manipulative.
Der Autor gibt uns einige gute Rate, aber ich finde das Buch ein bisschen langweilig, und einige Ideen sind viel zu angespannt und manipulativ.
Der Autor gibt uns einige gute Rate, aber ich finde das Buch ein bisschen langweilig, und einige Ideen sind viel zu angespannt und manipulativ.
September 30, 2019
A great book that made me re-think some of the things I thought I knew about creation and what our Christian response to it should be.
July 26, 2011
I was glad to have read this - I think there is precious little espousing Christian perspectives on the environment and our responsibility for it. I read 'God's Earth' some time ago and Planetwise is a good complement, presenting a conservative theological perspective with practical pointers in comparison to the philosophical challenge laid down by the former. I have for some time suspected that the Bible is environmentally friendly and this book was aligned with these thoughts.
Read
April 26, 2013Loved it, it is a gentle reminder that we are not here to get everything we can from this earth but God put us here for His reason. It will not make me change overnight to a recycling queen but there is enough in the book to make me think twice aboout how you shop and what you do with the waste that is left. Also how we treat creation in general and our role in it's destruction.
March 13, 2014
Good primer on the subject for Christians. I did not always agree with his biblical conclusions (some of his exegesis was forced), but I applauded his efforts to start the book with this foundation. He returned to Genesis. He looked to a literal millennium on earth. Then, he offered realistic advice for practice. This gave him credibility.
December 30, 2014
This is a great introductory book on the topic of Christianity and the environment. The book provides a simple framework for those exploring these subjects, and a first-person account of a family's attempt to live more sustainably. For those wanting a more "meaty" argument, this may not be the book for you.
February 8, 2021
Dit boek legt perfect theologisch uit waarom je als christen ook begaan moet zijn met de wereld om je heen en de klimaat issues die mens en dier schaadt. Die jou schaadt. En mij. Maar ook is Dave praktisch en geeft hij voldoende voorbeelden over hoe je een eerste stap kan zetten en dat het vooral gaat om het hart er achter en de relatie met God. Aanrader!
November 25, 2016
Read most of it. Parts were interesting. Skimmed other parts. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace to appreciate it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews