Religion and Ecology in the Public Sphere

This collection of essays brings to the surface vital dimensions in the in the engagement between religion and ecology. The authors are aware of both the political urgency, but also the need to delve into a variety of diverse traditions in order to resource such a task, namely, what might religious traditions contribute to ecological debates? A core issue addressed here is how contemporary theology might become public theology, one that is deeply relevant to the particular problems and issues of today. This then raises important theoretical questions about how theology might engage with politics. The diverse methodological approaches possible within Christian theology are represented in this collection, including those drawing on particular traditions such as Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Reformed theology, through to self consciously contextual approaches in liberation, African and Feminist discourse.

Celia Deane-Drummond is Professor in Theology and the Biosciences, and Director of the Centre for Religion and the Biosciences in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester and is Vice Chair of the European Forum for the Study of Religion and the Environment (EFSRE). Heinrich Bedford-Strohm is Professor Systematic Theology and Director of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Research Centre for Public Theology, University of Bamberg, Germany.