TY - JOUR
T1 - “We can't be quiet. We can't sit back.”: Examining the indecent eco‐theology praxis of Christian environmentalists in Trump's America
AU - Birkler, Margrethe Kamille
AU - Cornwell, Emily Jean
AU - Rutt, Rebecca Leigh
PY - 2026/1/30
Y1 - 2026/1/30
N2 - In this time of crises, we analyze whether and how Christian environmentalism in the United States embodies ‘indecent eco-theology’ (IET): a critical theological approach centering the experiences of especially marginalized groups in (re)defining Christianity alongside action toward eco-justice. Using qualitative research and a case study, we examine how one organization is challenging dominant U.S. political and Christian norms that ignore ecological concern, and instead forwards an eco-justice-, practice-based faith. Specifically, we document the iterations between their practice and theological perceptions, advancing an interdependence with the more-than-human world while destabilizing dominant theological assumptions of the linear path from perception to practice. We also explore how they understand and mobilize ‘justice’, intersectionality, and engage with marginalized groups and the more-than-human world. Throughout, we draw insights to advance IET. Our findings thus reveal the organization's resonance with IET alongside the particularities that emerge from a situated case study that are fruitful for further theoretical development.
AB - In this time of crises, we analyze whether and how Christian environmentalism in the United States embodies ‘indecent eco-theology’ (IET): a critical theological approach centering the experiences of especially marginalized groups in (re)defining Christianity alongside action toward eco-justice. Using qualitative research and a case study, we examine how one organization is challenging dominant U.S. political and Christian norms that ignore ecological concern, and instead forwards an eco-justice-, practice-based faith. Specifically, we document the iterations between their practice and theological perceptions, advancing an interdependence with the more-than-human world while destabilizing dominant theological assumptions of the linear path from perception to practice. We also explore how they understand and mobilize ‘justice’, intersectionality, and engage with marginalized groups and the more-than-human world. Throughout, we draw insights to advance IET. Our findings thus reveal the organization's resonance with IET alongside the particularities that emerge from a situated case study that are fruitful for further theoretical development.
U2 - 10.1111/dial.70018
DO - 10.1111/dial.70018
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0012-2033
JO - Dialog
JF - Dialog
ER -