Course Description

We human beings have been given “dominion” or “stewardship” over creation, according to the Bible and which translation of the Hebrew word ve-yir-du in Genesis 1:26 one prefers. In this course, we will examine basic environmental terms in the context of progressive Christian theology that prefers “stewardship” to “dominion” as a way of exploring the ways that human beings have used and abused the world in which we live.

The course includes a daily observational journal, which may be kept in any media format or combination of media. The journal will be used in Week 1, Week 4, and Week 6 assignments.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Participants will be able to explain key theological and scientific terms that relate to human care of the world around us.
2. Participants will be able to define the scientific method and explain it’s significance to human understanding of the world around us.
3. Participants will be able to discuss there particular social environments with a focus on the natural world.

MARKS OF FAITHFUL AND EFFECTIVE AUTHORIZED MINISTERS ADDRESSED IN THIS COURSE:

1.6 Exhibiting a commitment to lifelong spiritual development and faithful personal stewardship.

5.1 Nurturing care and compassion for God’s creation.

6.5 Experiencing and appreciating a variety of theological perspectives.

REQUIRED:

Resources are provided in the course.