Originally published on June 9, 2021 (Episode 209)
Introduction
Throughout human history, we have been deeply affected by our environment, particularly climate. At certain times there have been such alterations in climate that they amount to cultural shocks, resulting not only in famine, disease, and violence, but also in religious changes.
That’s the argument presented by this week’s guest, Philip Jenkins, in his new book Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval. We discuss the mechanisms by which the climate is altered, and then alters human history, particularly religious history. Then we move on to several periods of climatic shock that resulted in religious change, and speculate about how future climate change may reshape world religion.
Finally, I ask Jenkins for his secrets of being a highly productive historian, and whether all of his many books are just chapters in an enormous single volume.
About the Guest
Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University, where he is also Co-Director of the Program on Historical Studies of Religion. He is the author of more than thirty books on religion, history, and contemporary global affairs.
For Further Investigation
Philip Jenkins, Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval (OUP, 2021)
Jenkins’ blog and writings at The Anxious Bench
🌍 Listen & Discuss
How do environmental shocks reshape the deepest structures of belief? Share your reflections in the comments — and forward this episode to a friend who would be interested in the intersection of climate and religion.
