Meeting the Enemy

The catastrophic effects of climate change can seem overwhelming. What can we do? Who is responsible? In the tradition of Walter Wink, O'Brien reminds us that Christians have the power to name and oppose the enemies of God's good creation. The fossil fuel industry is just such an enemy. We can courageously confront these powers of evil and build a more faithful future. O'Brien paints the structural evils of the fossil fuel industry in sharp relief, helping readers understand that a Christian climate ethic must move beyond individualistic blame and individualistic solutions. While we bear responsibility for our personal actions, O'Brien demonstrates that fossil fuel companies are far more to blame for the contemporary climate crisis. His reframing shows us that the problem is the system. Having fully developed his case for the blame fossil fuel companies bear, O'Brien helps readers consider the options available to us as Christians to bear witness to evil and address the roots of this system of powers that bind us. O'Brien's approachable and engaging analysis makes Meeting the Enemy a powerful resource for both the classroom and informal educational settings.