Habitat: Thinking Theologically About the Environment

Loving God’s good earth is an act of hope.

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All around the world, people are experiencing the effects of climate change and ecological disasters right now. Today. At this very moment.

What should Christians do about it?

Far too often, we find ourselves paralyzed by climate anxiety or hushed by the trumpet of polarizing debate. Yet Christians and congregations are called to engage faithfully and hopefully with pressing, emotionally charged issues—even those that are too often relegated to “politics.”

The truth is, both Scripture and theology have much to contribute to the conversation. In Habitat: Thinking Theologically About the Environment, you’ll discover why environmental stewardship is a natural extension of our spiritual lives and address the climate crisis through a lens of hope.

Drawing insights from a broad spectrum of voices—farmers, tech innovators, activists, theologians, biblical scholars, and everyday Christians—the course explores practical ways for individuals and communities to care for creation in productive, nonpartisan ways.

What You'll Learn

  • Why issues of sustainability are tightly tethered to the life of faith.
  • The theological, scriptural, and spiritual dimensions of environmental stewardship.
  • How to nurture hope in the face of climate anxiety.
  • Faithful, nonpartisan ways to address environmental policy and take manageable action towards change, as individuals and in community.
  • What compassion, gratitude, and justice have to do with loving and protecting God’s good earth.
  • How to listen for God’s voice in the emotions surrounding climate change, looking for signs of hope and resting in God’s faithfulness.
  • The myriad ways other everyday believers—from a farmer to an environmental technology worker—have adopted daily sustainable practices.

About this Course

  • Modules

10

  • Learning Elements

78

  • Videos

14

  • Practices & Activities

20

  • Time

8 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55.00

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Here's What's Inside...

Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.

In this module, you will:

  • Understand how scripture encourages stewardship.
  • Reflect on your assumptions about your relationship with the natural world.
  • Develop humility and a willingness to think of yourself as a steward.

In this module, you will:

  • Understand God's affirmations of goodness as found in scripture.
  • Develop gratitude for the goodness of God's creation.
  • Consider the ways in which your habits and choices affirm or deny creation's goodness.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn about the communal, political, and economic dimensions of this environmental ethic.
  • Build your skill at using ethical and theological lenses.
  • Develop a desire to serve and help your neighbors affected by environmental issues.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn how the agency of Jesus can be a model for Christians today.
  • Develop gratitude for Jesus' renewing power.
  • Explore a current environmental practice of your choice.

In this module, you will:

  • Develop a biblical foundation for considering the intersection of environmental issues and justice.
  • Develop a compassion and desire to serve those affected by environmental injustice.
  • Explore possibilities for taking action in this area.

In this module, you will:

  • Imagine how the environmental ethics might connect to action.
  • Develop humility and grace to consider change.
  • Take an action step toward aligning your lifestyle with your environmental ethics.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn about the emotional effects of climate change.
  • Listen to how God might be speaking to you through your emotions.
  • Participate in a regenerative activity.

In this module, you will:

  • Learn to look for signs of hope.
  • Rest in God's faithfulness.
  • Consider how you might act to share hope with others.

Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.

You'll Learn How to Love Your Neighbor
3 trash cans line a sidewalk backed with lush greenery; the cans have color-coded labels of plastic, paper, and cans.

Ecological stewardship embodies loving our neighbors as ourselves. By caring for creation, we fulfill the biblical mandate to serve and protect, ensuring Earth remains a life-sustaining habitat. This attention to God’s design benefits not only humanity but all of God's creatures, fostering a world where all can flourish.

What to Expect

  • Lifetime access to the course materials.
  • A comprehensive course handbook that features practices, reflection questions, and assignments to deepen your engagement with the course material.
  • A FREE account inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, a private online learning community where you can connect with other learners and leaders walking through this course.

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Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Dr. Rob Muthiah

    Rob Muthiah’s work specializes in theology, congregational leadership practices, multiculturalism and race, Christian ethics, environmental justice, missional ecclesiology, and empowering the whole people of God.

    Dr. Muthiah has taught at Azusa Pacific Graduate School of Theology and Fuller Theological Seminary, where he taught classes such as Foundations for Ministry Life, Ethics and Worship, Transitions in Ministry, Empowering the People of God, Leadership and Diversity, and more.

    He has published multiple articles such as "Lament as Antiracism Work" in The Christian Century, and “Surfacing Emotions to Teach Leadership” in the Journal of Religious Leadership.

    Dr. Muthiah has earned degrees from Taylor University (B.A.), Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Fuller Theological Seminary (Ph.D.). He is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church and has served as a pastor at Breckenridge Christian Ministries and Pasadena Mennonite Church. As a church and community leader he enjoys serving meals to the homeless, mentoring youth, and participating in local events advocating for peace and justice issues.

Connect as you learn

Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring Habitat: Thinking Theologically About the Environment to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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