This is adapted from bvarious sources & study days, a blen used for a holiday tutorial for my HSC class

1. Environmental Ethics
1
HSC Christianity SOR1

2. Syllabus
 Ethics
 ONE of the following areas of ethical teaching
in Christianity
 bioethics
 environmental ethics
 sexual ethics
 Learn to
-describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on
bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual
ethics

3.  Describe – provide characteristics and
features
 Explain – relate cause and effect; make the
relationships between things evident.

4. Environmental Ethics in Christian History
 Until the last few decades there have been few
examples of environmental awareness in the
Christian tradition
 Not prominent in the mainstream of Christian
thought and practice until quite recently
 With the advent of a global concern for ecology
Christian theology has embraced environmental
ethics in a substantial response
 Christian theologians are now making more
substantial use of the biblical reflections on
creation as well as the work of historical figures
such as Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen
and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

5. Christian Environmental Ethics
Assignment
 Christian Ethics
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u9FOSc-44c
 Stewards or Slayers?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsgS9bLZaw

6. Biblical Reflections on
Environment
 Christian scriptures have a number of ecological
themes, many are taken from the Old Testament
 some important principles in the teachings of
Jesus have significance for environmental ethics.
 creation stories of Genesis 1-2 provide the
accounts of creation
 also provide important insights concerning
creation and the relationships and responsibilities
that exist between God, humankind and the rest
of the created order
 HO and Questions

7. Modern Environmental Ethics
 modern Christian thinkers have made enormous
contributions to environmental awareness
 for many Christians environmental ethics remains a side
issue
 Church leaders have universally stated the urgency and
priority of environmental action
 Pope John Paul II has made important contributions to
environmental ethics
 statement on ecological awareness "Peace with God the
Creator, Peace with all of Creation"
 released on January 1st 1990 as the Pope's peace day
message.
 June 1991 the World Council of Churches held an
international summit on the environment
 released a statement called "The Joint Appeal in Religion
and Science: Statement by Religious Leaders at the World
Environment Summit"

8.  Evangelical Environmental Network published its own
Declaration on Creation in 1996
 Forum for Religion and Ecology provides an opportunity for
ongoing dialogue among concerned individuals and groups
 The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) declared
a "Decade to overcome Violence" in 2001
 campaign includes a focus on overcoming violence against the
environment
 NCCA has also produced a statement on environmental ethics
called "Sustaining Creation"
 released in March 2003 this statement has a particular focus on
calling on governments at various levels to provide leadership
and act responsibly in relation to the environment
 Catholic Church in Australia through the Bishop's Committee on
Justice, Development, Ecology and Peace (BCJDEP) has set up
an organisation called "Catholic Earthcare Australia" (CEA)

9. "Catholic Earthcare Australia" (CEA)
 CEA the role of advising the Bishops on matters
of ecology
 includes the safeguarding of the integrity of
creation, environmental justice and ecological
sustainability.
 Responsible for carrying out research, developing
and furthering national networks, sponsoring and
undertaking environmental initiatives and
providing educational materials
 in 2005 CEA held a national conference in
Canberra and has produced a number of
resources including an environmental audit that
can be used by organisations to review their

10. other significant initiatives include:
Anglican Diocese of Newcastle
Environment Commission
Anglican Diocese of Canberra and
Goulburn Commission for the Environment
Catholic EarthCare Australia
Columban Centre for Peace, Ecology and
Justice
CREATE (Christian Environment Network
developed by the Catholic Archdiocese of
Brisbane)
Earth Bible Project

11. View essay examples on handout

12. What are some of the environmental
issues today?
 The question is what would God want us to do?
 Todays concerns reflect a past ignorance and
materialism or sometimes greed.
 Is this following the basic commandment of loving
yoir neighbour as yourself?
 Environmental destruction is stealing from the
future.

13. Suggestions
 Have 3 environmental concerns as examples eg
Global warming, floods/droughts
 Variants-3 types
 Bible teachings