I wish we could sit down over coffee or tea and chat further about this! I agree 100%, and had similar thoughts while teaching a class on attitudes toward the natural world in the Middle Ages. The modern assumption that the Bible says man should exploit the earth is an annoying one. (Wulf takes a similar stance on the evil, benighted effects of Christianity in her biography of Alexander von Humboldt.)
So do I! That would be such a great conversation. Ever since I started taking more of an interest in gardening/agriculture over the last few years, I feel like I've been bubbling over with ideas and thoughts that I'd love to thrash out with people of similar interests. I've read some beautiful secular nature writing (like Hal Borland's, for example), and thought "It would be so awesome if someone could write about nature with the same keen observation and wonder as this, but approached it from a genuinely biblical perspective at the same time!"
I get this sense that in the modern era, Christians in general have not really taken much interest in studying the natural world—admiring its beauty as a demonstration of God's power and wisdom, perhaps, but not really interested in learning about its intricacies and how it relates to our living in this world. It seems like such a rich untapped field (no pun intended...or maybe, yes) of study.
I have had an article about this very thing in my head, which I've been calling Christians Should be the True Conservationists. But now I don't have to write it, because you said everything so well here! :)
This is such an important thing for us to understand. You have put it lovingly and firmly. I loved how you describe stewardship as relating to all things God entrusts to we mortals.
Oh my, that is extremely high praise! But I would still love to read any of your thoughts on the subject. I honestly feel as if I've just scratched the surface here, and there's potential for so many more good conversations.
Excellent article, Elisabeth! You've obviously thought this through carefully, and your argument is sound.
Thank you so much, Mary!
I wish we could sit down over coffee or tea and chat further about this! I agree 100%, and had similar thoughts while teaching a class on attitudes toward the natural world in the Middle Ages. The modern assumption that the Bible says man should exploit the earth is an annoying one. (Wulf takes a similar stance on the evil, benighted effects of Christianity in her biography of Alexander von Humboldt.)
So do I! That would be such a great conversation. Ever since I started taking more of an interest in gardening/agriculture over the last few years, I feel like I've been bubbling over with ideas and thoughts that I'd love to thrash out with people of similar interests. I've read some beautiful secular nature writing (like Hal Borland's, for example), and thought "It would be so awesome if someone could write about nature with the same keen observation and wonder as this, but approached it from a genuinely biblical perspective at the same time!"
I get this sense that in the modern era, Christians in general have not really taken much interest in studying the natural world—admiring its beauty as a demonstration of God's power and wisdom, perhaps, but not really interested in learning about its intricacies and how it relates to our living in this world. It seems like such a rich untapped field (no pun intended...or maybe, yes) of study.
I have had an article about this very thing in my head, which I've been calling Christians Should be the True Conservationists. But now I don't have to write it, because you said everything so well here! :)
This is such an important thing for us to understand. You have put it lovingly and firmly. I loved how you describe stewardship as relating to all things God entrusts to we mortals.
Oh my, that is extremely high praise! But I would still love to read any of your thoughts on the subject. I honestly feel as if I've just scratched the surface here, and there's potential for so many more good conversations.