This is a book with an impressive scope. It encompasses biblical and theological perspectives on creation, linking these to modern environmental issues. Every chapter is followed by a short insight into the work of A Rocha, a Christian conservation charity. Environmentalism is an issue that is neglected in Christian circles so it's refreshing to find a book about it. The list of contributers is also impressive - from Eugene Peterson, author of The Message paraphrase of the bible, to RJ Berry, who is a professional academic biologist.
Topics are wide-ranging and all very different in their focus and approach. Some look at questions of creation - how creation relates to time; how to reconcile Adam with science; how we are to understand the fall. For those well studied in theology there are some heavy theological chapters exploring issues such as creation and incarnation, linked to the works of Jurgen Moltmann and Colin Gunton. The book finishes on a very appropriate note, talking about 'a new heaven and a new earth' and exploring our theology of the end times and what this means for the environment.
There are also chapters relating to environmentalism and justice issues. If anything, these are too few, and it'd be nice to have more of the book devoted to this - especially given that it is an issue so seldom covered in Christian writing. This issue of the distribution of topics would be my main criticism of the book - I was very frustrated to find that there was a chapter on evangelism, and found myself thinking that if I'd wanted to read about evangelism I would have bought one of the many many books on evangelism, not one of the very very few books on the environment!
This is only a minor criticism, however, and for the most part the book is an interesting and original read. The wide range of authors keeps it fresh and varied. You'll not agree with everything written in it, but you'll gain some fascinating perspectives on some oft-neglected issues.
A Rocha project in Minet County, London
Link to the book on Amazon.co.uk
by Carl Baker
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