ENSn4670 Christianity and Environmental Ethics – Theological View on Human-Nature Relationship

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jan Zámečník, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Karel Stibral, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Klára Dubinová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 10:00–11:40 U32; and Mon 21. 9. 10:00–11:40 P21b
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(N)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 18 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 6/18, only registered: 1/18, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/18
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The main aim of the seminar is to introduce students to important topics and the diversity of theological environmental thought. In the seminar, we will read and discuss selected chapters from the book Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility by James A. Nash (1938–2008), which is one of the acclaimed works of eco-theology and is characterized by a clear, accessible style as well as systematic treatment. Among other things, the author addresses the accusation that the Christian tradition is insensitive toward nature and explores questions of sin, love, and justice in an environmental context. The chapters of this book will be supplemented with texts by other theologians so that the seminar covers additional significant themes of eco-theological discussion, such as the use of the Bible in reflections on nature or the understanding of humans as stewards, shepherds or siblings of creation.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the seminar, students will have developed an understanding of the key themes in environmental theology and ethics. They will also gain experience in reading theological texts in English.
Key topics
The Critique of Christianity for the Exploitation of Nature • Creation and Covenant • The Image of God • The Incarnation • The Presence of the Spirit • Human Beings as Stewards, Shepherds, and Kin • Sin, Judgment, Redemption, and the Church • Christian Love in an Environmental Context • Justice and Biotic Rights • Politics, Economics, and Responsibility toward Future Generations • The Bible, Jesus, and Ecotheology • Theology of Animals • Suffering in Nature as a Theological Problem
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • LIBROVÁ, Hana; Vojtěch PELIKÁN; Lucie GALČANOVÁ and Lukáš KALA. Věrní a rozumní. Kapitoly o ekologické zpozdilosti (ilustrace B. Lacina). 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2016, 328 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-8454-4. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5817/CZ.MUNI.M210-8412-2016. Online knihkupectví Munipress info
  • LINZEY, Andrew. Teologie zvířat. Translated by Jan M. Heller - Jan Zámečník. 1. vydání. Praha: Stanislav Juhaňák - Triton, 2018, 303 stran. ISBN 9788075534873. info
  • NASH, James A. Loving nature : ecological integrity and Christian responsibility. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1991, 256 s. ISBN 0687228247. info
  • RUETHER, Rosemary Radford. Gaia & God : an ecofeminist theology of earth healing. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper, 1994, 310 s. ISBN 0060669675. info
  • SOUTHGATE, Christopher. The groaning of creation : God, evolution, and the problem of Evil. First edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008, xii, 196. ISBN 9780664230906. info
    recommended literature
  • BIRCH, Charles and Lukas VISCHER. Život se zvířaty : společenství božích tvorů. Translated by Štěpánka Straková. 1. Vyd. Praha: Kalich, 2007, 100 s. ISBN 9788070170687. info
  • DEANE-DRUMMOND, Celia. Eco-theology. Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2008, xv, 240. ISBN 9781599820132. info
  • MCDANIEL, Jay B. O Bohu a pelikánech : teologie úcty k životu. Translated by Petr Macek - Jan Zámečník. Vydání první. V Praze: Biblion, 2022, 295 stran. ISBN 9788087282861. info
  • NORTHCOTT, Michael S. The environment and christian ethics. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996, xv, 379. ISBN 0521576318. info
  • SANTMIRE, H. Paul. The travail of nature :the ambiguous ecological promise of christian theology. Minneapolis: Fortress press, 1985, xiii, 274. ISBN 0-8006-1806-8. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Discussion with students, analysis of texts, feedback on presentations.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Presentation and seminar essay; exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Minimální počet zapsaných studentů 5.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2026/ENSn4670