Creation Care: A Conversation Worth Having

There are a number of things that cause Steven P. Pardini’s eyes to light up. One is science. Another is God’s work in creation. Steve, who has a PhD in Physical Chemistry and a Master of Divinity, perfectly blends these interests in his new book, Climate Change and the Healing of Creation: Scientific and Theological Foundations for Creation Care. Steve devotes this book to showing how science and theology are related. A lot is packed into this book of just over 200 pages.

The first part of the book establishes the science of climate change. It is filled with charts demonstrating the results of scientific studies showing that not only is our climate changing, but that these changes are human-caused. All studies are explained in the text and footnoted, enabling the reader to verify the text's claims. Steve uses many abbreviations and has included a table with explanations to aid in following the train of thought. 

After establishing the science of climate change, the book looks at the difficulty of making progress in halting and reversing climate change. These two sections are needed as a basis for the rest of the book, which looks at why climate care and our creation should matter to Christians. I felt like the key statement of the book was on page 97, where Steve quotes Huq, a leading climate scientist and biologist from Bangladesh, in saying, “Climate change is the greatest weapon of mass destruction of our times. Unless we … recognize this fact and do something about it, we are guilty of crimes against humanity.” Climate change represents the most significant moral issue of our time. Steve does an excellent job of showing us why this is so and how so many Christians seem to be indifferent to our obligation to nature. This section (Part III) contains some of his strongest writing. 

After establishing the science of climate change and the basis for why Christians should care, the book offers hope. Things are dire, but they are not hopeless. Probably the hardest section to implement is the chapter on how to have conversations with people who believe differently. After convincing us of the reality of climate change and of our Christian duty to act, this section asks us to step back and invite others into the conversation without becoming judgmental or blocking opposing ideas. That is more easily said than done. 

The final section of the book provides many suggestions for action, both personally and in community with others. The book includes 13 chapters designed for group study, each with discussion questions, and a brief concluding chapter. As such, it would work well for a quarter-long Sunday School series. There are discussion questions for each chapter. This is not a light, breeze-through book. It contains deep concepts of science and of our relation to God, nature, and each other. I encourage its use as a study – preferably with Steve teaching it, if you can get him!

Linda Eberly Miller

Harrisonburg Mennonite Church 

Co-Chair, Harrisonburg Mennonite Creation Care Group