The earth on which we live groans more and more in the midst of the multiple ecological crises that dishonour the Creator and threaten life on Earth. How can we as God’s people respond with faithful witness in word and deed? How can we learn to discover again the creation as God’s good gift?
This course will explore the good news of Jesus Christ for creation in order to shape a vision of faithful discipleship in the midst of the global crises precipitated by the changing climate. You will acquire biblical, theological, and ecological resources for reshaping your understanding of discipleship and attend to concrete practices that may bear witness to Jesus Christ and form lives properly aligned with God’s redemption of creation.
As part of the IBTS Learning Network, this course seeks to serve the churches, organisations, and people of the European Baptist Federation and Canadian Baptist Ministries.
The primary aims of the course are
Developing a biblical, theological vision for living repentantly, humbly, joyfully, and wisely in God’s good world.
Learning to communicate the dimensions and interconnections of the world we live in and a biblically grounded call to action in the midst of those crises.
Learning to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ for all creation, even in a time of changing climate and multiple crises, and contribute to the church’s witness.
Developing habits and virtues of faithfulness, such as lament, humility, simplicity, meekness, and hope, that join God’s call to repentance in word and deed, and call others to those same habits.
Discern how best to integrate all of the above into the unfolding vocation to which each participant is called.
Creation Care and the Gospel:
A 10-week online course which requires 3-5 hours of work per week;
starts September 2022;
is a blended online, facilitated course, with a virtual meeting every week;
small groups of 10-20 participants, we aim at two people from a country or ministry;
primary language will be English;
online tools are available for the people who are trained by the trainers, available in English and translatable into different languages;
the course is recognised by IBTS and EBF and is at pre-degree level
Tutors and facilitators:
Initiated by :
Jonathan R. Wilson (see more information here)
Developed by:
Jeremy Kidwell: interdisciplinary scholar, trained in ethics and constructive theology based in the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham
Helle Liht: Assistant General Secretary, European Baptist Federation
David Nussbaumer: Director of Le Courmette Centre, A Rocha France