Ben Lowe - Caring For Creation through A Rocha
Episode 42 Liturgical Rebels
Ben Lowe - Caring For Creation through A Rocha
I first met Ben Lowe when he was a student at Wheaton. I was impressed then with his passion for God’s good creation and am even more impressed now. He has made this passion the centre of his life and of his faith. I am delighted that he has now found a home in one of my favourite environmental organizations. A Rocha International began in Portugal many years ago and I met the founders Peter and Miranda Harris in the early 90s. It was an inspirational meeting and I watched with great delight the expansion of this organization around the world. I grieved with them the tragic accident that took Miranda from us in 2019.
In Caring For Creation Through Ben Lowe and A Rocha , Ben and I explore his multicultural background, faith journey, and deep connection to creation. We discuss the importance of environmental stewardship within Christian theology, the blind spots often present in traditional teachings, and the growing engagement of Christians in environmental issues. We also discuss the theological perspectives that inform Christian attitudes towards creation care, the impact of political identity on environmental attitudes, and the importance of education and connection to nature in fostering a love for God’s creation. Ben shares insights about A Rocha USA’s mission and various initiatives aimed at promoting ecological awareness and action within communities.
Takeaways
Ben Lowe’s upbringing in Singapore fostered a love for creation.
Many Christians overlook the importance of creation in theology.
Cultural lenses can distort our understanding of God’s Word.
Environmental issues are often rooted in social crises and attitudes are driven by political identity rather than theology..
Christians should be at the forefront of environmental care.
The Left Behind theology can create a disconnect from environmental concerns.
Understanding scripture in context is crucial for responsible environmental stewardship.
Caring for creation begins with knowing and loving the world around us.
A Rocha’s mission is to equip others to care for creation.
Churches can serve as community hubs for environmental action.
Simple actions like composting can make a difference.
The invitation to care for creation is a privilege and responsibility.
Rev Dr Ben Lowe is the Executive Director of A Rocha USA, a Christian environmental conservation organization and part of the worldwide A Rocha network. He holds a BS in environmental biology from Wheaton College and a PhD in the human and religious dimensions of environmental change from the University of Florida (USA). Originally from Singapore, Ben is an ordained minister, the author of multiple books, and was the founding national organizer of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. Ben is currently based in the warm and watery state of Florida, USA, where he can often be found kayaking around the mangroves.
More about A Rocha International can be found here. More about Ben Lowe and A Rocha USA here