Dr. Sandra Richter: Should a Christian Be an Environmentalist?

Dr. Sandra Richter, the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, visited Denver Seminary on November 21, 2022. She gave a presentation entitled “Should A Christian Be An Environmentalist?” She also recorded answers to questions from guests and to questions submitted by The Gospel Initiative. Dr. Richter is the author of “Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters” (InterVarsity Press, 2020).

Video answers to Questions with Dr. Richter

How would you describe the difference between stewardship of creation and responsible action on environmental issues?

How does the idea of ‘stewardship’ over God’s creation relate to mankind’s authority in Genesis 1 and the mandates to rule over creation and subdue it? Doesn’t the language of Genesis 1 support the exploitation of creation instead of its stewardship?

In your book “Stewards of Eden,” you suggest that systemic reform happens when issues are framed within a system’s own value set. What are the scriptural values in favor of environmental stewardship and creation care? Do the values of evangelicalism work in favor of environmental stewardship and creation care? Are there values in evangelicalism that work against it?

If big corporations carry most of the blame on environmental issues, how much positive change can individual Christians really make?

Can we hope to change the environmental issues that plague our planet?

Besides from the pulpit, how can we help our churches with overconsumption and an eschatology that labels the material and natural world as “STBA: Scheduled To Burn Anyway”?

With so much misinformation out there, how can we reconcile the Biblical view of creation stewardship with the politics of climate change?

Some would say that environmental issues are best dealt with by scientists. How do you understand the role of the church in addressing environmental issues?