Abstract

This study seeks to understand and to explore the recent development of church-sponsored community gardens. In my research, I found that some scholars believe that Christianity has played a major component in the ecological crisis, due to Christianity’s lack of biblical scripture about the earth. This has lead to church gardens becoming a larger symbol of Christianity's call to address climate change, as well as to become environmental stewards. The first part of my research is the exploration of why Christianity has been criticized, focusing on scholar Lynn White, Jr., then followed by various Christian scholars that argue the Bible can be used to address climate change, rather than what White suggests. The second part of my research focuses on how Christian principles can be applied to Christian environmental organizations to educate and address climate change. Both A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Center in the province of British Columbia and Koinonia Farm in the state of Georgia prove that Christian principles can address climate change by applying it to gardening as a way to educate others throughout North America. Lastly, I address the Christian principles that take action on climate change through my research with the two church gardens: Unitarian Church of Calgary and the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Wooster. Both of these church gardens not only created a stronger relationship with the church and the community, but also helped to break down the social structure of who can afford organic and non-organic produce, as well as to educate people about the importance of protecting the earth through gardening practices.

Advisor

Rapport, Jeremy

Department

Religious Studies

Disciplines

Biblical Studies | Christianity | Environmental Health and Protection | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion | Sustainability

Publication Date

2016

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2016 Hilary Coady