Understanding Nature as Place in Dialogue with Christian Environmentalists

Abstract: In this article we discuss Forrest Clingerman’s argument for ‘emplacement’ as a framework for environmental hermeneutics alongside his fourfold schema of ecological place, aesthetic place, place of resource, and place of community. Utilizing social science methods, we analyze conceptions of nature as place through semi-structured interviews amongst six groups of UK-based Christian environmentalists. We identify themes of place as (1) love, awe and spirituality; (2) grief and rage; and (3) responsibility, redemption and hope. We discuss each of these categories in depth, arguing that our results can be used fruitfully to critique and extend Clingerman’s philosophy and theology of place.