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Increase Awareness/Your Congregation |Resource Library |Videos | Environmental Theology
Environmental Theology Videos
Title: Befriending the Earth
Catalog #: VEM 009 Production: VHS. Thirteen tapes, 30
min. each.
Format: Lecture/Presentation Audience: Adults
VEM 009-1: "Healing Theology." Thomas Berry, C.P., and Thomas Clarke, S.J., dialog about the failure of Christian theology to respond to modern life, including the environmental crisis.
VEM 009-2: "Science and the Sacred." Thomas Berry, C.P., and Thomas Clarke, S.J., discuss the evolving relationship between science and Christianity
VEM 009-3: "Knowing God." Since Biblical times, religion has understood the universe as having a beginning, and as going through stages of life, each one a preparation for the next. Science has now gone further with the concept of developmental time. This is the way God works, says Thomas Berry, and until religion gets back on track, our understanding of God won't match our perception of reality.
VEM 009-4: "Falling in Love with the Universe." Berry speaks of the law and force of the universe as love, a power that holds all things together in a community of life. Love is the inner spirit of reality, revealed in the discoveries of science. When religion and science connect, religion can provide poetry for the experience that science describes.
VEM 009-5: "Sacred World." Scripture presents God as separate from nature, and nature as dangerous to humans. This exaggerated notion of transcendence is a cause for our neglect of the planet. If we believe that God is not here, that the world is not sacred, then there is no real worth to our planet. We need to look at our relationship with the Earth and take responsibility within the world community.
VEM 009-6: "Tragedy is Not Our Business." The Western world is obsessed with tragedy and despair. We are not supposed to enjoy life or God, we feel we are inadequate, and we are told that the end will come to nothing. Unless we allow the sacred to enter our world again, unless we see ourselves as participants in creation, we will remain unmotivated, depressed, and stuck in this tragic view of the world.
VEM 009-7: "If Jesus Is Who He says He is He'll Show Up Somewhere." Why has Christianity not guided us out of our ecological crisis, but in fact has initiated and dominated in our neglect of the planet? We need to remember who Jesus was and follow his lead: a person marginal to society, who empowered people and held an ideal of human behavior to imitate. We can find him today, for he shows himself in the most unfashionable and unexpected of places.
VEM 009-8: "Social Justice, Earth Justice." The needs of the earth are pressing, but our faith tells us to put the needs of the poor first. However, attempts to help the poor will end in failure if a global view is not taken into account and the two aren't integrated. Key factors such as overpopulation and exploiting mines, forests, and oceans in the name of people's livelihoods must be balanced before our whole world system collapses.
VEM 009-9: "All Creation Groaning." Creation theology, which focuses on the goodness of the earth, and redemption theology, which focuses on sin, need to be integrated. We are partners in God's creation, but we need to be continually aware and watchful of our infinite capacity for evil and sin. And what more evidence of this is needed than our destruction of the natural world?
VEM 009-10: "Terror and Attraction." Our world is in ecological chaos, and we know how to stop it, yet we don't. This is because we are addicts. We hold to the illusion that we are in control, and can buy a quick fix out of our problems. We have to hit bottom. And when we do, we need to catch a vision, something to live for, a dream beyond our imagination. Religion can provide imagination for this dream.
VEM 009-11: "For Our Children a Shameful Legacy." When we consider our willful abuse of the planet, and the legacy of destruction we are handing on to the coming generations, we must ask: How can our future generations forgive us? We need to address this shame, the guilt we feel when we consider the ecological destruction we have caused, and are still willfully causing. We need to take steps to heal it.
VEM 009-12: "A Song for Our Time." Religion can lead people in an exodus out of our ecological disaster and into a new world community. This journey requires a poetry and a poet equal to the task. Until now, songs and literature about nature and the Earth have tended to romanticize them. We need a poetry that addresses the real story of humanity and the whole Earth. This is the poetry that religion can provide.
VEM 009-13: "Sacrifice and Grace." We are called to achieve something new on behalf of the earth community, and like all moments of transformation and growth, this transformation will require great sacrifice. This is a new period, and religion has not grasped the importance of the moment and its vital role in it. Religion cannot play its role in the ecological movement, the healing of the earth, without changing.
Title: Biblical Foundations of Christian Environmental Concern
Catalog #: VEM 063-1 Production: VHS 1 hr., 32 min. Earth
Ministry, 1996.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Frontiers of Environmental Theology Lecture Series and Workshop, January 26 and 29, 1996.
VEM 063-1: Dr. Calvin DeWitt: "Biblical Foundations of Christian Environmental Concern" as part of the Frontiers of Environmental Theology Lecture Series.
VEM 063-2: Dr. Calvin DeWitt: "Making Your Church a Creation Awareness Center."
Title: Christian Nature Spirituality: What It is and Why We Need
it.
Catalog #: VEM 085 Production: VHS. Earth Ministry
Format: Lecture/Presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry Lecture Series, , November 14, 1997.
Dr. Sallie McFague, Carpenter Professor of Theology at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, teaches and writes in the areas of feminist and ecological theology. Dr. McFague is a nationally-recognized leader in making connections between Christian faith/theology and care for all creation.
Title: Earth as the Body of God
Catalog #: VEM 051 Production: VHS. 50 minutes.1992.
Format: Lecture/Presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry Lecture Series, February 26, 1992.
Dr. Sallie McFague, theologian from Vanderbilt University, discusses God's presence in creation.
Title: Earth From Space: Ambiguous Icon
Catalog #: VEM 087-1 Production: VHS. 87 min. Earth Ministry,
1998.
Format: Lecture/Presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry Lecture Series, February 17, 1998.
VEM 087-1: Dr. Larry Resmussen's perspective is that the view of earth from space is changing our collective consciousness. Part of this change affects our sense of citizenship and responsibility, leading some to use the language of planetary or global "management." But are these changes for the better? This lecture presents an assessment of this management concept and offers an alternative.
Title: Eating Our Way to Oblivion: The Spiritual Crisis of Modern
Agriculture
Catalog #: VEM 068 Production: VHS. 1 Hr. 23 min. Earth
Ministry, 1996.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Frontiers of Environmental Theology Lecture Series, lecture and workshop, March 8 and 9, 1996.
VEM 068-1: Dr. Richard Cartwright Austin challenges us to that see modern agriculture, addicted to oil and to poisons, strips the landscape of farmers, wildlife, biotic integrity, community, moral value, and spiritual vitality; all in an unsustainable effort to feed restless urban populations. To sustain the world we must rebuild rural communities, dense with complex systems of life - human and natural - and rich with culture, ethics, and spiritual significance. Urban communities and choices play an indispensable role in this rebuilding effort.
VEM 068-2: Workshop Presentations
VEM 068-3: Workshop Presentations
Title: Economics for Community: The Role of the Church
Catalog #: VEM 040-2 Production: VHS. 2 tapes. 2 hr.15
min. Earth Ministry, 1995.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry Lecture Series, Workshop with Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr.
VEM 040-2: 1 hr. 20 min. Workshop. September 9,1995. Seattle University: "Economics for Community: The Role of the Church." The workshop considers the kinds of communities the economy should serve and how it can serve them. Although the Church is not one of these communities, it is uniquely related to them. It can play a distinctive role in helping local communities to gain some control over their economies. And the Church can challenge policy makers at all levels to rethink the relation of the economy to political institutions representative of these communities.
VEM 040-3: 55 min. Workshop, continuation.
Title: "Economism," "Earthism," and the Christian Faith
Catalog #: VEM 040-1 Production: VHS. 2 tapes. 2 hr.
22 min. total. Earth Ministry, 1995.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
The first in the Frontiers of Environmental Theology Lecture Series. September 8, 1995.
VEM 040-1: 1 hr. 30 min. Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr.: Lecture: "Economism, Earthism, and the Christian Faith"
Since World War II economic growth has replaced national power and well-being as the primary goal of society. The result of this "economism" is the exclusion of the poor and the rape of the Earth. The strongest and most hopeful reaction has been a new devotion to the Earth. Christians need to appraise "economism" and "earthism" and find their own contribution.
VEM 040-4: 52 min. Interview with Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr.
Title: Environmental Movement & the Church: Do We Share Common
Ground?
Catalog #: VEM 038 Production: VHS. Earth Ministry, 1995
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry's Spring Gathering, March 25, 1995.
Presenters: David Ortman: Director, Northwest Office, Friends of the Earth; Steve Whitney: Pacific Northwest Regional Director, The Wilderness Society.
Ortman and Whitney are both active churchmen as well as directors of prominent environmental organizations. They explore what each constituency has to offer the other in terms of history, world view, and tradition.
Title: God so Loved the World: Nature and the Christian
Catalog #: VEM 061 Production: VHS. Earth Ministry, 1995.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Workshop, September 24, 1995.
Carla Berkedal speaks on Nature and the Christian tradition.
Title: Greening of Faith; Why the Environment is a Christian
Concern
Catalog #: VHS 462 Production: VHS. 2 tapes, 30 min.
& 27 min. Includes Study Guide. Earth Ministry / Cathedral Films, 1994.
Format: Documentary Audience: Adults
VHS 462-1 Program One: (30 min.) Theology and Spirituality
Biblical foundation for ecology; creation spirituality in Christian tradition; Nature as sacramental; the reconnection of faith and science.
VHS 462-2 Program Two: (27 min.) Ethics
Environment and justice; The extension of ethical obligation beyond the human species; the unique role the Church can play in the formation of attitudes and the enabling of change.
These two videos explore the religious dimensions of caring for the earth. Theologians and environmentalists offer helpful ecumenical perspectives on one of the most pressing - and exciting- areas of faith and ethics. Stunning nature photography and the haunting music of Peter Kater, R. Carlos Nakai, and Chris White flavor this sumptuous feast of creation themes.
Title: Keeping the Earth: Religious and Scientific Perspectives
Catalog #: VEM 074 Production: VHS. 27 min. Union of
Concerned Scientists. 1996.
Format: Documentary Audience: General
This video calls on all Americans to serve as good stewards of the natural world. Prominent scientists and religious leaders offer their perspectives on the need to protect our environment and the diverse species that share it.
Narrated by James Earl Jones.
Title: Love the Earth and Be Healed
Catalog #: VEM 080 Production: VHS. 6 tapes, 24-28 min.
Format: Educational Audience: General
VEM 080-1: Facing our Dilemmas. A story of a major oil company's efforts to be environmentally responsible introduces the problem of dilemmas. Theologians and other thinkers reflect on dilemmas we all face and how we deal with them.
VEM 080-2: In This Web Together. This program looks at an organic farm and the relationship the farmer feels with the land. It moves to an exploration of how each of us is connected to the rest of creation.
VEM 080-3: How Much is Enough? The Rocky Mountain Institute's mission is to work for the efficient use of resources as a path to environmental security. Their very practical story is followed by thoughts on limits and the spiritual cost of consumerism.
VEM 080-4: Loving Nature. A congregation in Montana is working to save the Sweetgrass Hills from the devastation of modern gold mining. The love of nature that underlies their efforts is the subject of the reflections that follow, including whether we can love nature without worshiping it.
VEM 080-5: Not in Anybody's Backyard! A Wisconsin community's discovery of toxic waste in their water system is followed by reflections on environmental justice. Though the poor and powerless are most at risk, this danger confronts us all. But there is hope in the Earth's capacity to heal itself and in our recovery of spiritual bonds with the Earth.
VEM 080-6: Celebrating the Earth. A soliloquy of loving animals along with thoughts about what the church can do leads into a visit to a "green" cathedral for a joyous celebration of creation. This program provides a culmination of the series and becomes a celebration for us all.
Title: Making Your Church a Creation Awareness Center
Catalog #: VEM 063-2 Production: VHS, 1 hr., 45 min.
Earth Ministry, 1996.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry Lecture Series/workshop, January 29, 1996.
Dr. Calvin DeWitt: "Making Your Church a Creation Awareness Center."
Title: The Universe Story: Its Significance for Our Time
Catalog #: VEM 069 Production: VHS. Earth Ministry. May
17-18, 1996.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Frontiers of Environmental Theology Lecture Series, May 17-18, 1996.
VEM 069-1 Father Thomas Berry: "The Universe Story: Its Significance for Our Time"
Father Thomas Berry discusses how the universe came to be in the beginning, how it came to be as it is today, and our human role in this unfolding process. Father Berry also reflects on how the universe story affects our understanding of God, creation, and humanity.
VEM 069-2 Father Thomas Berry: "How the New Cosmology Can be Integrated into the Work of the Local Parish."
The new cosmology can be rather heady, but how does this actually affect what happens in congregational life? This workshop focuses on liturgy, doctrine, and practice in light of our new understanding of the universe.
VEM 069-3
Second part of the above workshop.
Title: Thomas Berry: Dreamer of the Universe
Catalog #: VEM 055 Production: VHS. 60 minutes. First
Run Features Home Video,1994.
Format: Documentary Audience: Adults
An intimate conversation with Father Thomas Berry, one of the great spiritual thinkers. Father Berry is "the most provocative figure among this new breed of eco-theologians."
Title: Three Models for Faith-Based Environmental Action
Catalog #: VEM-087-2 Production: VHS. 111 min. Earth
Ministry, 1998.
Format: Lecture/presentation Audience: Adults
Earth Ministry workshop, February 18, 1998.
Dr. Larry Rasmussen: "Three Models for Faith-Based Environmental Action." Three deep traditions are explored as a basis for church-based and interfaith-based environmental action: 1) the ascetic/monastic tradition; 2) the sacramentalist/eucharistic tradition; 3) the prophetic/liberationist tradition.
Title: Together in the Garden
Catalog #: VEM 014 Production: VHS. 20 min. World Council
of Churches, 1991.
Format: Documentary Audience: General
A pre- Earth Summit look at what the church's role should be in relation to global survival. This video provides groups in your church with a challenging message concerning their responsibility for the future. Voices and experiences from around the world are shared that give direction for how Christians can make their witness in the search for healing the earth, building justice, and sustaining life for the future.
What is the role and voice of the churches? How do we see the contributions of Christians throughout the world to this challenge of global survival? Can the church offer its vision and commitment to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation?