Discussing ways to protect the environment is a pressing scientific and political issue. Its importance is also keenly debated within Christian groups through various interpretations of the Bible and humanity’s responsibility to the earth. 

Professor David Horrell, a Biblical scholar at the University of Exeter, has recently completed a project that looked critically at the kinds of environmental and ecological appeals made to the Bible. Details of his research outcomes have now been made public leading to a ‘Comment is Free’ piece by him in The Guardian. An interview with Professor Horrell is available on the AHRC website.

The project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), looked at both the negative and positive appeals to the Bible.  This ranged from those that see the Bible as a text that teaches human pre-eminence and imminent destruction for the earth to those that see the Bible as a “green” book that teaches stewardship and care for the Earth. 

Professor Horrell said, ‘The Bible is regarded by many as the word of God, which is why it is so influential. Religion not only shapes people’s spiritual beliefs, but their practical, political, and economic behaviour too.’

The research shows that both sides of the debate tend to present their views as what the Bible “says”, ignoring the extent to which all such views are interpretations, shaped by the convictions and interests of their proponents.  Professor Horrell’s project calls for a more honest approach to acknowledge that these are constructive interpretations.  He said, ‘The challenge to members of all religions, not just Christians, is to show how their scriptures, and traditions can be reinterpreted, reconfigured, to face the challenges of a contemporary crisis.’

A fuller look at the project can be seen on the Exeter University website.

Professor Horrell’s ‘Comment is Free’ piece is on the Guardian website.

A podcast interview with David Horrell is available on the AHRC website.

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 AHRC Media Contact: Jake Gilmore, Communications Manager, tel: 07970994586

Notes to Editors:

 About Arts and Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute over a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.