Overview

Joining God in the Thin Places affirms that everyone is a theologian. Authentic theological reflection emerges in natural disasters as people experience disruption and margins. That theological reflection carries the authority of the well-being of people who begin as vulnerable or excluded by injustice. The mutual accountability of God and all creation shapes resilient communities. I have threaded my own experience in disaster events as a staff leader in the national United Church of Christ's disaster, refugee, and sustainable development ministries with public discourse emerging from these and other disasters. This book utilizes resources of Bible, theologies, quantum science, history, art, and liturgy. Disaster theology is creation theology. This book links climate change and natural disasters by rooting theologies active in natural disasters in who God is and what God does as creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Accelerated climate change makes disasters more frequent, intense, and extended in duration than ever before. It adds urgency to interacting well with creation that is complex and continuing for the sake of well-being and flourishing. Examples of local and global response and rebuilding demonstrate theologies of accompaniment, partnership, and solidarity seeking justice. Those seeking practical ways to get involved will find them here.

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Reviews

""This book is a much-needed resource for the church in a time of advancing climate change and increasing natural disasters. Blaufuss beautifully grounds her work in theological reflection and practical, professional experience. She reminds those engaged in disaster response and recovery of the essential requirement to respect the wisdom of those directly impacted by such devastation. As a survivor of a major natural disaster myself, I highly recommend this book."" --Shari Prestemon, acting associate general minister, United Church of Christ ""Rev. Mary Schaller Blaufuss delves into creation theology, addressing pressing issues like climate change and the escalating frequency and intensity of natural disasters. She underscores the urgency and significance of incorporating the lived experiences of vulnerable and marginalized communities affected by disasters into creation theology. Drawing from her personal experiences, both local and global, Rev. Blaufuss emphasizes the importance of local partnerships and solidarity in seeking justice for those who often remain unheard. This work not only enhances our theological understanding but also offers practical avenues for engagement, making it an invaluable resource for those dedicated to fostering well-being and working for justice in the world."" --Vy T. Nguyen, executive director, Week of Compassion, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada ""Mary Schaller Blaufuss writes with the authority and authenticity of personal experience, and her insights ring true to our experience with disaster in Indonesia: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and cyclones as well as deadly communal conflict. Disaster tests our theology like an earthquake tests the foundations of a building. This book is a guide for nurturing theology that helps rather than hinders."" --John Campbell-Nelson, retired professor of pastoral theology, Artha Wacana Christian University, Timor, Indonesia ""Mary Schaller Blaufuss is uniquely qualified to write this book on disaster theology. Not only is she a careful scholar of Bible and theology, but she also has fifteen years of direct experience of accompanying victims of disaster and of planning effective, liberating, compassionate, and just responses to disaster. This book very helpfully addresses the questions regularly raised by people of faith: Why disaster? Who and where is God? How can we best respond?"" --J. Clinton McCann Jr., evangelical professor of biblical interpretation, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

Author Information

Mary Schaller Blaufuss serves as vice president for advancement and communication at Eden Theological Seminary. Between 2005 and 2019, she served on the United Church of Christ national staff as executive for volunteer ministries and as team leader for national and global ministries in disaster, refugee, global sustainable development. Mary is an ordained minister in the UCC and has taught mission studies at the United Theological College in Bangalore, India.

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