In this episode we speak with anabaptist, anarchist and Christian animist, Noel Moules. Christian and animism are perhaps two words you haven’t heard together before, in fact you may well think that animism sounds somewhat dodgy! Noel shows us though how Jesus himself held to this ancient indigenous worldview, where rather than matter and spirit being understood as dualistic opposites, the entire natural world is sentient, personable and alive. 

So we ask Noel how this revelation has changed the way he understands and relates to God. And how he loves his neighbour now his neighbour includes everything from birds to trees?!

After the interview Nomad hosts Tim Nash and Nick Thorley reflect on how animism might shape their own evolving faith.

Interview starts at 15m 16s

Images used with permission.

BOOKS

Fingerprints of Fire, Footprints of Peace

Christian Animism

When God Was a Bird

The Hebrew Bible and Environmental Ethics 

WEBSITE

Christian Animism

Workshop

QUOTES

 “Everything is alive, everything is sacred, everything is connected, everything is person, everything is nurtured, and everything is respected.”

“Personhood is an understanding which is above all things. And so human personhood, bird personhood, animal personhood, rock personhood is found as different expressions of personhood under the overarching sense of personhood. I find that really exciting and helpful.”

“The dominion that God has given us is that we are to image God in how we live our lives in the world. And when we do that, yes, we have this amazing capacity to have a huge effect. But that should be for blessing. And also, are we open for the huge effect that the rest of creation is to have on us? That to me is really, really important as well. And that’s why I find the word ‘stewardship’ difficult. I like companionship better.”

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  1. Julie Feb 21, 2020

    Thanks for sharing this. I work in a church. I also study anthrozoology, where personhood of non-human animals is a big thing. The language used such as companion animals rather than pets, takes away from us being ‘owners’ of other beings. So, I think a lot about the kinds of things that were brought up in this podcast. Strangely, I went to my first Forest Church meeting recently where Steve Hollinghurst was talking, and was faced with bacon rolls being distributed. Why so many Christians want to eat pigs is something I struggle with!

  2. Peter Flounders Jul 16, 2020

    I just wonder, perhaps simply and naively, but did Jesus die for the rocks I throw out of my garden?

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