Resisting Structural Evil: Love as Ecological-Economic Vocation

Ecojustice, social justice, and the Christian conscience

"This is a grand prophetic book motivated by love and focused on justicesocial justice, ecological justice, and dignity for 'the least of these.' Don't miss it!" Cornel West

Union Theological Seminary

This book is a gift to all . consumers looking for a way out of their addiction. Those of us (myself included) who know our excessive consumption is causing ecological and economic disasters should read Professor Moe-Lobedas new book. It is the best one-volume analysis of our moral dilemma I know of and, even better, it suggests principles and practices to help deal with it.

Sallie McFagueVancouver School of Theology

"Cynthia Moe-Lobeda's Resisting Structural Evil: Love as Ecological and Economic Transformation takes the form of a powerful contribution to Christian ethics, but in fact it is also a major contribution to anyone in any religious or spiritual tradition who seeks to maintain both a commitment to God and to global healing and transformation. Easily accessible and charming in presentation, deep in its ability to confront difficult issues squarely and in a nuanced way, courageous in insisting that we see reality not only as it is but as it could be if we were willing to be "unrealistic" for a few moments, manifesting daring of thought combined with a pervasive humilitythis is a true classic of spiritual progressive consciousness, packed full of ideas that should be taught in every college and university and religious seminary, every church, synagogue, mosque and ashram!" Rabbi Michael Lerner

Editor, Tikkun MagazineChair, The Network of Spiritual Progressives

"Cynthia Moe-Lobeda's book is one of the strongest statements yet to be made on the intricate connections between ecology and justice. The powerful stories and persuasive arguments lay the groundwork for the necessary transformations ahead. It will be a catalyst for change!" Mary Evelyn Tucker,Forum on Religion and Ecology, Yale University

Key Features:

Mapping the ethical terrain of an imperiled planet

Convincingly showing how ecojustice relates to economic justice

Rethinking Christian ethics in light of the ecological crisis

The increasingly pressing situation of Planet Earth poses urgent ethical questions for Christians. But, as Cynthia Moe-Lobeda argues, the future of the earth is not simply a matter of protecting species and habitats but of rethinking the very meaning of Christian ethics. The earth crisis cannot be understood apart from the larger human crisiseconomic equity, social values, and human purpose are bound up with the planet's survival. In a sense, she says, the whole earth is a moral community.

Reorienting Christian ethics from its usual anthropocentrism to an ecocentrism entails a new framework that Moe-Lobeda lays out in her first chapters, culminating in a creative rethinking of how it is that we understand morally. With this "moral epistemology" in place, she unfolds her notion of "moral vision" and applies it to the present situation in a full-fledged earth-honoring, justice-seeking Christian ethical stance.

Cynthia D. Moe-Lobeda is professor of theological and social ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and Graduate Theological Union. She is founding director of the PLTS Center for Climate Justice and Faith. The author of numerous books, including Resisting Structural Evil: Love as Ecological-Economic Vocation (Fortress, 2013), Moe-Lobeda is the editor of Fortress Press's Building a Moral Economy series.