Additional Praise for the Revised Edition of Love in a Time of Climate Change
—Debra Rienstra, author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth
We have not yet fully reckoned with the strength and depth of love required of us in this time of climate crisis and threadbare hope. Sharon Delgado brings the riches of the Wesleyan tradition skillfully to bear on this reckoning, explaining in clear and patient prose how Christians and all people of good conscience must hear the groans of creation and the cries of vulnerable people as the same cry. How long till our compassion and sense of justice finally awaken? The time is now, and now more than ever, we need the urgent call in this book.
—Ilka S. Vega, Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice of United Women in Faith
Rooted in Sharon Delgado’s vast climate justice advocacy and ministry work, Love in a Time of Climate Change links faith and action, demanding radical transformation and systemic change. Centering marginalized voices— including women, communities in the Global South, and Indigenous communities—it calls for healing our relationship with nature and pursuing justice as sacred work. It is a beautiful and inspiring read in these times when hope, love, and action are much needed.
—Brian D. McLaren, author of Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart
I am so grateful for thoughtful, well-informed spiritual leaders like Sharon Delgado who are not only educating people but recruiting people for wise, just, and compassionate action in our climate-changed world.
—Mark Davies, Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and director of World House Institute at Oklahoma City University Love in a Time of Climate Change is an insightful Wesleyan exploration of climate change. I used the first edition on numerous occasions in both undergraduate and seminary courses, and my students found it engaging and challenging. It was also very well received when I led a United Methodist Church book study group. The revised version updates the scientific facts and current conversations and calls readers to a journey of faith that includes action for climate justice.
—Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, chair of the Creation Justice Committee of Oregon Interfaith Power and Light; cofounder and advisor to United Methodist conference creation care teams in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington state
Having worked alongside Rev. Sharon Delgado as a colleague and friend, I know her to be a person of deep practice and a reflective, hopeful theologian. In this revised edition of Love in a Time of Climate Change, she continues the vital discussion set out previously: “How do we hold onto love as heat intensifies, injustice deepens, and harm multiplies on earth?” Delgado’s revision moves us forward into this next decade, inviting discernment for a time such as this. In so doing, she is characteristically bold in naming inequity, holding fast to faith, lifting up the gospel, and calling us to action while never letting go of God’s love above all else.
Praise for Love in a Time of Climate Change
Michael E. Mann, Ph.D., Director of the Penn State Earth System Science Center and author of The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy:
“Climate change is the greatest challenge we’ve yet faced as a civilization. Meeting that challenge will require we use both our heads and our hearts. There are many primers that target the former, but fewer that target the latter. And that is why Love in a Time of Climate Change: Honoring Creation, Establishing Justice by Sharon Delgado proves such essential reading.”
Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, author of The Comforting Whirlwind: God, Job, and the Scale of Creation:
“This book is an act of witness, and a powerful one. It reminds us that if church is going to mean anything in a time of rapid climate change, it’s going to have to take on this toughest of all questions.”
Catherine Keller, Ph.D., George T. Cobb Professor of Constructive Theology, Drew Theological School. Author of On the Mystery: Discerning God in Process; and Cloud of the Impossible:
“To live in love—and in a perilously changing climate: with wonderfully readable wisdom, Sharon Delgado invites us, Christians and all, to follow her on this honestly hopeful and adventurously holy way to our shared future.”
Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches:
“Solutions to the world’s problems must include the churches if they are to be effective, and the churches must understand these challenges theologically if they are to be mobilized. Sharon Delgado masterfully articulates an unapologetically Wesleyan framework for climate justice, and in doing so, gives the churches the resources necessary to bring about lasting change. This book is a gift to Christians everywhere, one that ultimately extends to all of God’s creation. I highly recommend it.
Ted Peters, Ph.D., Co-editor, Theology and Science, Distinguished Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary:
“Honor the creation. Strive for justice for all our planet’s creatures both now and in future generations. Sharon Delgado reminds us vividly and forcefully how today’s Christians have a responsibility for tomorrow’s Earth.”
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, President of The Regeneration Project, Interfaith Power & Light:
“There is no more important challenge facing creation than the changing climate. Love in a time of Climate Change gives a thorough understanding of the moral and spiritual implications of the climate crisis. This book emphasizes the injustice of not addressing the climate crisis. With love at the center of the conversation it will motivate readers into taking urgent and serious action that will curtail the most catastrophic affects.
The Rev. Pat Watkins, Ministry for the Care of God’s Creation:
“Love of God, love of each other, and love of God’s creation are so masterfully intertwined by Sharon Delgado. Easy answers, a checklist of 5 things we can do to save the planet are not found here. Delgado calls for a transformation of the world, no less! How audacious to speak of love in an age of climate injustice. But isn’t that our job as Christians; to love the world into a new reality? It will be a very difficult job to solve the climate crisis, but Delgado has unlimited hope that, in love, we can do it!”
John B. Cobb, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, Claremont School of Theology and Claremont Graduate School; Founding Co-Director, Center for Process Studies:
“Sharon Delgado makes it clear that we, especially we who stand in the Wesleyan tradition, cannot choose between being scriptural in the fullest sense and activity to save as much as possible from destruction through climate change. There is no tension between biblical preaching and preaching on the overwhelming, life-determining issues surrounding climate change. Let’s stop hemming and hawing and work with God to save God’s creation.”
The Rev. Jenny Phillips, Fossil Free UMC Founder, Minister for Environmental Stewardship and Advocacy, Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church:
“Climate change is already impacting church ministries, from the fight against malaria to disaster relief and recovery. Love in a Time of Climate Change is the book we need now to help us articulate a Christian understanding of the climate crisis and respond with boldness, urgency and hope.”
The Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith:
“We all know we’re up against a cliff when it comes to climate change, and that we need a transformation in our culture, politics and personal behavior to protect life on earth. John Wesley understood what it meant to be in need of such a holistic and profound transformation, and Sharon Delgado brings a much-needed Wesleyan urgency and wisdom to bear on this issue. It’s an important and eloquent contribution.
Nicky Bull, from Operation Noah (UK):
“Sharon Delgado’s Love in a Time of Climate Change is a timely and important book that deserves to be read widely by people of faith… Her call for Christians, wherever we may be, to look more closely at the issues of justice and creation care and to live out our faith in a time of climate change, challenges us all.”
Peter Moore-Kochlachs, Executive Director, Environmental Ministries of Southern California:
“An intelligent, biblically and theologically sound rationale that argues for the Christian’s engagement in the Climate Justice movement. Sharon has elegantly integrated scripture, the writings of John Wesley, and postmodern theology, along with science, politics, and personal experience, in this strong meditation on “righteous love” in a global and community context. I highly recommend that a book group or congregational study group take up the challenge of reading and studying this book together over a month’s time and then making an action plan to implement.”