TL;DR:
Faith and creation care belong together. These books opened my eyes to how protecting the earth is an act of worship and obedience. They remind us that caring for nature isn’t just environmental—it’s spiritual, a reflection of gratitude for God’s gift of life and responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
As someone who has long wrestled with the intersection of faith and environmental stewardship, I’ve sought out books that illuminate how Christianity informs our relationship with creation. The Bible calls us to care for the earth, yet modern environmental challenges can feel overwhelming.
Through my reading, I’ve discovered some remarkable works that explore Christian environmentalism, blending theology, science, and practical action. If you’re on a similar journey, here are the best books I’ve come across—each offering unique insights and inspiration.
FAQs: The Best Books on Christian Environmentalism
1. What is Christian environmentalism?
Christian environmentalism views caring for the earth as a divine calling. It’s about stewardship—protecting God’s creation out of love and responsibility, not politics or trends.
2. Why should Christians care about the environment?
Because Scripture teaches stewardship. From Genesis to Revelation, believers are called to tend the earth, reflecting God’s care and wisdom through sustainable living.
3. What are some top books on Christian environmentalism?
Popular titles include Serving God, Saving the Planet by Matthew Sleeth, For the Beauty of the Earth by Steven Bouma-Prediger, and Hope in the Age of Climate Change by Jim Ball.
4. How does environmental care reflect spiritual growth?
It deepens awareness of God’s presence in creation and fosters humility, gratitude, and compassion. Caring for the earth becomes an expression of faith in action.
5. How can churches promote Christian environmentalism?
Churches can teach creation care, reduce waste, plant trees, and encourage eco-friendly practices, reminding believers that honoring creation honors the Creator.
1. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care by Steven Bouma-Prediger
One of the most comprehensive books on this subject, For the Beauty of the Earth argues that caring for creation is a core Christian responsibility. Bouma-Prediger provides a theological foundation for environmental care, exploring biblical principles, historical Christian perspectives, and ecological science. What stood out to me was how he weaves scripture with contemporary environmental issues, emphasizing that our stewardship of creation is an act of worship. His call to action is practical and deeply rooted in faith, making this an essential read for anyone looking to understand why Christians should engage in environmental care.
2. A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions by Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley
Co-written by climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, who is also an evangelical Christian, this book bridges the gap between faith and science. Hayhoe and Farley tackle climate change from a distinctly Christian perspective, addressing skepticism within the faith community. I appreciated their straightforward approach to explaining the science of global warming while rooting their arguments in biblical principles. The authors make a compelling case that caring for the planet aligns with loving our neighbors, especially the poor and vulnerable who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
3. Rescuing the Earth: A Christian’s Guide to the Environmental Crisis by Tri Robinson and Jason Chatraw
This book is perfect for those seeking practical guidance. Robinson, a pastor, shares his personal journey of awakening to the importance of creation care. He outlines actionable steps for individuals and churches, from reducing waste to starting community gardens. What resonated with me was how he frames environmental stewardship as part of living out the Gospel. The authors’ storytelling style makes the book relatable, and their emphasis on local action is both empowering and realistic.
4. The Green Bible
While not a traditional book, The Green Bible is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Christian environmentalism. This unique Bible highlights passages related to creation care in green ink, making it easy to see how often the theme appears in scripture. It also includes essays from theologians, scientists, and environmental advocates. When I first started exploring this topic, The Green Bible helped me see how deeply rooted environmental stewardship is in God’s Word. It’s an excellent resource for study and reflection.
5. Serving God, Saving the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth
Dr. Matthew Sleeth, a former physician, writes with a sense of urgency and hope. His book offers a compelling mix of personal testimony, practical advice, and theological reflection. What struck me most was his emphasis on simplicity—living with less to reduce our environmental impact while deepening our relationship with God. Sleeth’s medical background adds a unique perspective, connecting the health of the planet to the well-being of humanity. I found his suggestions for sustainable living both practical and spiritually enriching.
6. Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible by Ellen F. Davis
For those interested in the agricultural dimensions of environmentalism, Ellen Davis’s book is a must-read. She explores how biblical texts address land use, food production, and community, drawing parallels to contemporary issues in agriculture.
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Davis’s scholarship is profound yet accessible, and her insights challenged me to think differently about how I consume and produce food. This book is particularly relevant for Christians in rural areas or those involved in farming and gardening ministries.
7. Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World by Douglas J. Moo and Jonathan A. Moo
Written by a father-and-son team, Creation Care combines rigorous biblical exegesis with environmental science. The Moos tackle tough questions, such as the role of humanity in a groaning creation and the eschatological hope for a renewed earth. Their balanced approach—acknowledging the seriousness of ecological crises while maintaining a hopeful outlook—was deeply encouraging to me. This book is ideal for readers seeking a theological deep dive into creation care.
8. Earthkeeping and Character: Exploring a Christian Ecological Virtue Ethic by Steven Bouma-Prediger
In this companion work to For the Beauty of the Earth, Bouma-Prediger delves into the virtues required for faithful earthkeeping. He emphasizes qualities such as humility, self-control, and hope, arguing that these virtues are essential for addressing ecological challenges. Reading this book reminded me that environmental care is not just about actions but about cultivating a Christlike character. It’s a thought-provoking read for those interested in ethics and spiritual formation.
9. Planetwise: Dare to Care for God’s World by Dave Bookless
Dave Bookless brings a global perspective to Christian environmentalism. As the founder of A Rocha International, a Christian conservation organization, Bookless shares stories from his work around the world. His passion for creation care is infectious, and his insights on how churches can engage in environmental ministry are practical and inspiring. This book challenged me to think globally while acting locally.
10. Hope for Creation by Matthew Sleeth
This short but powerful book is a call to action for Christians to take environmental stewardship seriously. Sleeth’s conversational style and personal anecdotes make it an easy read, but the message is profound.
He highlights the hope found in God’s redemptive plan for creation, inspiring readers to live out their faith by caring for the earth.
I found this book particularly encouraging when I felt overwhelmed by the scale of environmental issues.
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Why These Books Matter
Christian environmentalism is about more than just reducing waste or planting trees—it’s about aligning our lives with God’s will for His creation.
These books have helped me see that caring for the earth is an integral part of loving God and loving others. They’ve challenged me to rethink my habits, engage my community, and deepen my faith.
If you’re new to this topic, I recommend starting with For the Beauty of the Earth or Serving God, Saving the Planet.
For those looking for a deeper theological dive, Creation Care and Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture are excellent choices.
Whatever book you choose, I hope it inspires you to join the growing movement of Christians committed to environmental stewardship.
If you would like to know more about my path as a writer, including the struggles, lessons, and small signs of progress along the way, you can read the full story on my Wealthy Affiliate blog here: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/johnmaluth/blog
References
Bouma-Prediger, S. (2010). For the beauty of the earth: A Christian vision for creation care (2nd ed.). Baker Academic.
Bouma-Prediger, S. (2019). Earthkeeping and character: Exploring a Christian ecological virtue ethic. Baker Academic.
Davis, E. F. (2009). Scripture, culture, and agriculture: An agrarian reading of the Bible. Cambridge University Press.
Hayhoe, K., & Farley, A. (2009). A climate for change: Global warming facts for faith-based decisions. FaithWords.
Robinson, T., & Chatraw, J. (2006). Rescuing the earth: A Christian’s guide to the environmental crisis. Ampelon Publishing.
Sleeth, J. M. (2009). Serve God, save the planet: A Christian call to action. Zondervan.
Sleeth, M. (2012). Hope for creation. Zondervan.
Bookless, D. (2008). Planetwise: Dare to care for God’s world. IVP Books.
Moo, D. J., & Moo, J. A. (2018). Creation care: A biblical theology of the natural world. Zondervan.
The Green Bible. (2008). HarperOne.
Such a very well put together article on this subject. Faith and creation care are deeply connected, and exploring this relationship can reshape the way we see both our spiritual lives and the world around us. This article is helping me understand that caring for the environment isn’t simply about protecting nature—it’s an expression of reverence for the God who created it. “Caring for the natural world”, is not just an environmental effort, but a spiritual commitment woven into the fabric of faith itself. This is what I have learned with this read. The 10 different books you have introduced within this article all look to be wonderful books, but I am leaning towards starting with “The Green Bible”.
Thank you for putting together this article and giving me “food for thought”!
Pauline, thank you for sharing this. Your words made more sense to me than you may realize. I also grew up thinking “environment” was something separate from faith, almost like a side topic. It took me years, and many walks along the Sobat River and in dusty streets of Juba, to understand that how we treat the soil, water, trees, and animals is part of how we respond to the Creator Himself. Reading and writing about creation care has been slowly changing the way I pray, teach, and even how I think about small daily choices. Knowing that this article gave you “food for thought” tells me I am not alone on that road.
You picked a strong starting point with The Green Bible. It has a way of opening our eyes to verses we have read many times, but never saw through that lens before. Once you begin reading it, I would really love to hear which passage or note speaks to you first and makes this link between faith and creation care even clearer for you.