I’m right in the middle of reading Gardening Eden by Michael Abbaté. It’s a great timely read – especially with Earth Day on Wednesday.
I’ve got an extra copy of the book, so as a thank you to folks who read this blog, I’m giving away a copy of the book on Friday afternoon. Read the synopsis and then find out how to win below…
Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.
“Spiritual environmentalism†did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?
Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.
Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.
To win:
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment sharing what you think about “spiritual environmentalism.” It can be a short response, a long response, pro or negative, just so long as you share your thoughts in the comment below. This contest will go until Friday afternoon @ 5pm (my time) and then a winner will be randomly chosen.
Easy cheesy. So what are you waiting for?
Book looks good and thanks for the tweets recently from Gardening Eden. Lots of feedback about them. I can remember years ago when Faith & Environmentalism did not mix and was considered heretic. We’ve come a long way and still have a long wat to go. Happy Earth Day to you and yours.
Book looks good and thanks for the tweets recently from Gardening Eden. Lots of feedback about them. I can remember years ago when Faith & Environmentalism did not mix and was considered heretic. We’ve come a long way and still have a long wat to go. Happy Earth Day to you and yours.
I have always been confused as to why Christ-followers think we have little to no responsibility to care for creation! I would hope a book like this would help bridge the confusion gap for many!
I have always been confused as to why Christ-followers think we have little to no responsibility to care for creation! I would hope a book like this would help bridge the confusion gap for many!
I think that Christians have typically maintained a mental separation between “heaven” and “earth”. While there is certainly validity to maintaining a higher focus on heaven and “God stuff”, here on earth is still God’s creation placed here for us. We have a responsibility to take care of everything God has given us (physical or otherwise).
I think we also have the responsibility to take care of our world, and try and bring in the Kingdom– to make this place more like Heaven. Eventually, there will be no more strip forestation, no polluting of wells, no cars belching exhaust, no plastic bags caught on fences, no poisons dumped into the water table, and no one left hungry.
I think that Christians have typically maintained a mental separation between “heaven” and “earth”. While there is certainly validity to maintaining a higher focus on heaven and “God stuff”, here on earth is still God’s creation placed here for us. We have a responsibility to take care of everything God has given us (physical or otherwise).
I think we also have the responsibility to take care of our world, and try and bring in the Kingdom– to make this place more like Heaven. Eventually, there will be no more strip forestation, no polluting of wells, no cars belching exhaust, no plastic bags caught on fences, no poisons dumped into the water table, and no one left hungry.
todays friendly reminder :: leave a comment to win a copy of Gardening Eden :: http://tinyurl.com/c6l9nm
todays friendly reminder :: leave a comment to win a copy of Gardening Eden :: http://tinyurl.com/c6l9nm
Improper care of the creation is one of modern Christianity’s biggest failings. Not, perhaps, because of the impact poor environmental stewardship may or may not have on our earth. Indeed, in many ways, it’s beside the point. Where it hurts followers of Jesus is that it gives a critical culture more ammunition for the argument of “see, there go those Christians, always worried about eternity but not giving a damn about what goes on down here.”
That’s my take on creation care, and why I support environmentalism from a Christian perspective.
Improper care of the creation is one of modern Christianity’s biggest failings. Not, perhaps, because of the impact poor environmental stewardship may or may not have on our earth. Indeed, in many ways, it’s beside the point. Where it hurts followers of Jesus is that it gives a critical culture more ammunition for the argument of “see, there go those Christians, always worried about eternity but not giving a damn about what goes on down here.”
That’s my take on creation care, and why I support environmentalism from a Christian perspective.