Pastoral Care in the Anthropocene Age

Facing a Dire Future Now

Ryan LaMothe

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Year: 2022
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781978777262
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

This book considers the challenges and opportunities of the Anthropocene Age from the perspective of pastoral theology/care. The fundamental question and concern with regard to the Anthropocene Age for human beings and other species is, how are we to dwell together on this one earth. Care, LaMothe argues, is the central concept in answering this question. Effective care requires pastoral theologians to make use of multiple interpretive frameworks (e.g., theology, philosophy, human sciences, etc.) in the analytic pursuit of understanding and responding effectively to the realities of climate change. At the same time, it is also important for pastoral theologians to examine critically the theologies and philosophies that give rise to and impede pastoral interventions and, in the case of the Anthropocene Age, to be clear about how theologies and philosophies have contributed to ideologies that undergird both exploitation of the earth and other-than-human beings, while also contributing to climate change and obstructing climate action. These are necessary steps in developing pastoral responses aimed at caring for persons, communities, and other-than-human beings in need of a viable dwelling.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: The Anthropocene Age: Its Sources, Attributes, and Challenges
• Chapter 2: Problems of Scripture: Developing a Theology of Care for the Anthropocene Age
• Chapter 3: A Pastoral Theology of Dwelling
• Chapter 4: Radical Care in a Climate Emergency
• Chapter 5: Facilitating Radical Communities of Inclusive Dwelling
• Chapter 6: Contexts of Care in the Anthropocene Age
• Notes
• References
• Index
• About the Author