The obvious damage that human beings are inflicting on the created world as well as the growing scientific consensus that humankind is contributing measurably to the potentially devastating effects of global warming have thrust the "environment" to the forefront of political and social issues.

Yet most evangelicals, including leaders and pastors, lack the theological basis needed to respond biblically to these issues.

Many of the theological assessments currently offered suffer from theological and/or hermeneutical biases that render them unpalatable or inaccessible to evangelicals.

The Creation Care course, presented by scholars Douglas and Jonathan Moo, grounds theological reflection on the created world in scriptural exegesis and applies biblical principles to the current situation as described by the consensus of scientific investigators.

Units trace several key biblical themes through Scripture in an effort to situate the created world within biblical theology. Specific themes that receive attention include:

• the value and status assigned to non-human creation
• the relationship of creation to redemption
• the place of human beings within creation
• the understanding of and significance assigned to the land in Old Testament law and prophecy
• the future of the created world envisaged by the New Testament

The Creation Care course offers practical reflections on the biblical mandate that God's people embody God's perspective on the created world and considers how the command to love others might affect the way we treat the earth upon which all life depends.