0 God, Country, and Climate Change: A Christian perspective on a global problem

God, Country, and Climate Change: A Christian perspective on a global problem

February 1, 2023

Perhaps more than ever before, we need Christian leaders with the boldness to confront global challenges with knowledge and integrity.

Few issues are more complicated, more controversial, or more important than the threats to our global climate.  But what does the science actually say, and can we trust the data?  How should scripture inform our perspectives on climate change?  Why is it so politically divisive?  And how do I respond to Uncle Bob’s snarky comments about the weather?

We will address these and many other questions, as we delve into the complex intersections between faith, science, and politics around the topic of global climate change.  This course prepares students to develop a scientifically grounded and biblically centered perspective on the climate.  We will also critique the social, psychological and political factors influencing climate beliefs in American culture.  Students will learn to interpret competing narratives based on data and evidence while developing the tools to communicate about climate change clearly and effectively.

Starting March 7, 2023

This 8-week online course will meet Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET and will run through April 25. Class recordings will be made available to registered participants to watch asynchronously.

Register for Credit/AuditRegister for Webinar

Course Cost

  • For Credit: $392/credit-hour
  • Audit: $150/course
  • Webinar: Free access to live-sessions

 

For Credit Audit Webinar
Cost $392/Credit Hour $150/Course Free
View Live or On-Demand Yes Yes Yes
Readings Access Yes Yes Yes
Moodle Access (Online Learning Platform) Yes Yes No
Transcript Available Yes Yes No
Graded Assignments Required Yes No No
Counts toward Degree Requirements Yes No No

Course Topics

  • Creation care theology
  • Climate science and impacts
  • Climate solutions
  • The psychology of climate denial
  • Diverse perspectives on the climate crisis
  • Global climate justice
  • Climate politics and advocacy
  • Charting a Christ-centered path forward
Register for Credit/AuditRegister for Webinar

What will you learn?

Class lectures will feature a wide variety of global experts—many among the top leaders in their field—who will help us explore these issues together. Special guest speakers include:

  • Bob Inglis, Executive Director of RepublicEN and former member of the United States House of Representatives
  • John Cook, Ph.D., Research Professor at Monash University in Australia and founder of skepticalscience.org
  • Jessica Moerman, Ph.D., Senior Director of Science and Policy at the Evangelical Environmental Network
  • Marinel Ubaldo, Filipino climate activist and country coordinator for the UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16)
  • Sandra Richter, Ph.D., Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont University
  • Jonathan Moo, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Edward Lindaman Endowed Chair at Whitworth University
  • Dorothy Boorse, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Gordon College
  • Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan climate activist and founder of Rise Up Africa Movement
  • Kevin Green, Vice President of the Center for Behavior and Environment
  • Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, Vice President of the Evangelical Environmental Network
  • Hannah Malcolm, Ph.D. student and author of “Words for a dying world: Stories of grief and courage from the global church.”

In addition to the online classroom sessions, credit and audit students gain access to supplementary lectures that dig more deeply into the issue, as well as forum discussions where they can unpack these topics with their peers.

Meet a Faculty Member