Quaker Theology

Climate Change

Examines climate change as a spiritual, ethical, and social challenge, connecting environmental responsibility with Quaker commitments to peace and justice. Explores the relationships among ecological disruption, militarism, energy use, and the need for collective action to protect communities and the earth.

  • “Climate Wars” & “The Green Zone”* Reviewed

    This article reviews Gwynne Dyer’s book *Climate Wars*, highlighting its military-strategic analysis of climate change and the urgent need for a global political deal to replace carbon-based energy usage. It contrasts Dyer’s expert perspective with Barry Sanders’s *The Green Zone*, which inadequately addresses the environmental impact of U.S. militarism despite raising important points about military…

  • “Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet”*

    This article is a detailed review of the book *Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet*, which advocates for radical ecological sabotage to dismantle industrial civilization. The reviewer critically examines the book’s militant strategy, ethical dilemmas, and the potential for genocide embedded in its plan, while contrasting it with Quaker peace testimony and historical…

  • “A Sustainable Life: Quaker Faith and Practice in the Renewal of Creation”* A Review

    This article reviews Doug Gwyn’s book “A Sustainable Life,” which explores how Quaker faith and practice underpin sustainable living, focusing more on spiritual and community dimensions than environmental activism or technology. It highlights the book’s nuanced approach to balancing tensions within Quaker principles and emphasizes the importance of patience, integrity, and the interplay between equality…

  • Melting Icebergs Don’t Scream: A Response to Keith Helmuth’s: “The Angel of History, the Storm of Progress, And the Order of the Soul”

    The article critically responds to Keith Helmuth’s theological interpretation of environmental crises, which centers on a Western “master narrative” rooted in the biblical conquest of Canaan and the supremacy of personal moral will. While praising Helmuth’s reflections, the author challenges the scope of this master narrative, highlighting omissions such as the role of militarism and…

  • Narrative Theology: The Land

    This deeply personal narrative explores the author’s spiritual journey intertwined with a profound connection to the land, rivers, and nature. It reflects on his evolving faith from evangelical Christianity through disillusionment with organized religion, Quakerism, and ultimately Buddhism, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the earth and environmental stewardship. The article also critiques religious dogma, institutional…

  • The Angel of History, the Storm of Progress, And the Order of the Soul

    This article explores the concept of the “Angel of History” as a metaphor for the destructive forces of “progress” that have led to ecological degradation, societal regression, and spiritual crisis. It examines the Western metaphysical tradition centered on the supremacy of personal moral will, its historical roots, and its role in justifying domination, violence, and…