Learning for Sustainability – John Muir The Nature Lover and His Christian Faith
John Muir, often called the “Father of the National Parks” in the USA, was a man who loved nature and saw God’s handiwork in every tree, mountain, and river. Born in 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, Muir moved to America at the age of 11 and grew up to become a famous naturalist, writer, and explorer. His Christian faith shaped how he saw the world, and his story can inspire young people today. In the USA, he is honoured with place names in many states (including Washington and Alaska), and the impact he made, as an environmentalist and nature advocate, is celebrated on 21 April each year in California.
Researching the influence of John Muir can be incorporated into both Curriculum for Excellence, Social Studies People, Past Events and Societies Es and Os as well as some within Religious and Moral Education, Christianity – Beliefs, Values and Issues. The attached PDF provides details on the possible mapping of this topic.
Muir grew up in a Christian home where his father, a devout Presbyterian, encouraged the family read the Bible daily. Young John memorised much of the New Testament, and these teachings stayed with him throughout his life. As a boy, he worked hard on his family’s farm in Wisconsin, but he also loved exploring the fields and forests. To him, nature was like a big, beautiful church where he could feel close to God. He once wrote, “The forests, like the mountains, are temples filled with God’s presence.”
As Muir grew older, he travelled across America, especially to places like Yosemite Valley in California. He was amazed by the towering mountains, sparkling waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. Muir believed God created this beauty for everyone to enjoy and protect. His faith wasn’t just about going to church; it was about seeing God’s love in every leaf and stream. He wrote that nature was “a window opening into heaven,” showing kids like you how he connected his faith to the outdoors.
Muir’s love for nature led him to fight for its protection. He helped start the Sierra Club and convinced leaders to create national parks like Yosemite. His Christian belief that God made the Earth and entrusted humans to care for it drove his mission. He thought wasting nature was like disrespecting God’s creation, a lesson that encourages us to care for our planet today.
John Muir’s story shows that faith can guide you to do important things. He wasn’t perfect, but his love for God and nature made him work hard to protect the wild places we can still enjoy. Next time you’re hiking or seeing a sunset, think of John Muir, who saw God’s fingerprints in every part of nature and wanted everyone to cherish it.
NB: Despite his faith being overlooked by many today, John Muir was driven by a deep devotion to God and the Lord Jesus. His goal was to be an exegete, “leading out” the meaning of God’s glory found in creation. His passion, through his writing, was to be a “preacher of creation.” (Source: John Muir: God’s Preacher of Creation – Christian Standard)
Other resources:-
Twinkle video on John Muir suitable for primary-aged children
Who Was John Muir? | John Muir Day | 21 April | All About John Muir for Kids | Twinkl USA
John Muir: God’s Preacher of Creation – Christian Standard
Divine wilderness: John Muir’s spiritual and political journey
John Muir – Christian and Environmental Advocate (CVE Scotland PDF with Es and Os mapping)
[All blogs on our website are the personal view of the writer and do not necessarily represent a position taken by CVE Scotland]
