Ecotheology

An exploration of our humanity in relationship to the natural world

Ecotheology

This course introduces students to the field of ecotheology, attending to both the doctrinal questions raised by contemporary scientific understandings of the material world as well as the ethical implications of Christian faith on a planet facing ecological devastation. Doctrines of creation, anthropology, sin, Christology, and eschatology will be explored from an ecological perspective—in conversation with a wide array of contemporary theologians—to consider questions such as: What does it mean to be human? What is the purpose of the natural world, and how are we to relate to it? How does sin affect our relationship to non-human creatures? And what does the incarnation mean for the cosmos? In the course of these explorations, we will also examine the intersection of ecotheology and environmental ethics with racial justice, decoloniality, Indigenous thought, agriculture, and human treatment of non-human animals.

This course can be used to fulfill a theology or ethics elective.

The course will meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm Eastern on Zoom, beginning January 20 and ending May 5.

The Stevenson School for Ministry is a ministry of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. SSFM is dedicated to the lifelong learning and discernment processes of all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and beyond. There is always financial aid available; please email ssfm@diocesecpa.org for more information.

About the Instructor:

Samuel Davidson, Ph.D.

Samuel Davidson (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is a Senior Research Associate at the Baylor University Center for Developmental Disabilities. He is a systematic and constructive theologian with expertise in a wide range of interdisciplinary considerations including ecology, psychology, and disability. He has taught master's level and continuing education courses at the SSFM as well as Princeton Theological Seminary and Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. His current book project,Deep Ecclesiology: An Ecological Theology of the Church is the first project to articulate the doctrine of the church from the perspective of ecotheology.