Bible and Ecology - Rediscovering the Community of Creation - Softcover

Richard Bauckham

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0232527911 ISBN 13: 9780232527919

Publisher: Darton, Longman and Todd, 2010

Synopsis

In this well-argued and timely book, Bauckham considers the relationship of humans to the rest of creation. He argues that there is much more to the Bible s understanding of this relationship than the mandate of human dominion given in Genesis 1, which has too often been used as a justification for domination and exploitation of the earth s resources.

About this title

Review:

"Extremely significant in its thesis and compelling in its execution, The Bible and Ecology even has a touch of humor here and there."
--Bruce Longenecker, W.W. Melton Chair of Religion, Baylor University

"In this book Richard Bauckham brings his characteristic clarity of thought and attentiveness to textual detail to matters of theology and ecology. Ranging well beyond the accounts of Genesis 1-2, Bauckham presents the rich, complex and multilayered ways in which the Bible speaks about humans, animals and the rest of creation. Bauckham's analysis suggests a lively and life-giving set of prescriptions for how humans might engage and even enhance creation without violating its God-given integrity."--Stephen Fowl, Professor of Theology, Loyola University Maryland

"Bauckham has a made a valuable contribution to the debate about how ecology relates to the Bible, especially the move from ecological inter-dependence to creation as a community of crucial and meaningful inter-relationships."--Norman Habel, Professorial Fellow, Flinders University, South Australia

"Bauckham has forced us to reconsider again the question of stewardship and the place of humans in the community of creation. He carefully explores a range of biblical texts that highlight God's care of creation and the place of humans in that community."--Review of Biblical Literature (August 2011)

"A great resource ... on Christianity and the environment."--Brian C. Dennert, Themelios (2011, 36:3)

"Without question the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the Bible's understanding of ecology and humanity's place in God's community of creation. The book is accessible to general readers and is an indispensable source for scholars. It should be carefully and widely read."--Reviews in Religion and Theology (2012, 19:1)

A great resource... on Christianity and the environment.--Brian C. Dennert "Themelios "

a superb choice for lay people, pastors and Bible college students...--Christina Richie, Boston College "Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society ""

an excellent text for a class in ecotheology or Christian environmental ethics.--Nathan Babcock, Pastor, Bismarck First Church of Christ "Stone-Campbell Journal ""

Without question the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the Bible's understanding of ecology and humanity's place in God's community of creation. The book is accessible to general readers and is an indispensable source for scholars. It should be carefully and widely read.

Bauckham has forced us to reconsider again the question of stewardship and the place of humans in the community of creation. He carefully explores a range of biblical texts that highlight God's care of creation and the place of humans in that community.

Bauckham has a made a valuable contribution to the debate about how ecology relates to the Bible, especially the move from ecological inter-dependence to creation as a community of crucial and meaningful inter-relationships.

In this book Richard Bauckham brings his characteristic clarity of thought and attentiveness to textual detail to matters of theology and ecology. Ranging well beyond the accounts of Genesis 1-2, Bauckham presents the rich, complex and multilayered ways in which the Bible speaks about humans, animals and the rest of creation. Bauckham's analysis suggests a lively and life-giving set of prescriptions for how humans might engage and even enhance creation without violating its God-given integrity.

Extremely significant in its thesis and compelling in its execution, The Bible and Ecology even has a touch of humor here and there.

... a superb choice for lay people, pastors and Bible college students ...

... an excellent text for a class in ecotheology or Christian environmental ethics.

From the Back Cover:

With his characteristic rigor and perceptiveness, Richard Bauckham embarks on a biblical investigation into the relationship between human beings and the rest of creation. Bauckham argues that there is much more to the Bible’s understanding of this relationship than the mandate of human dominion given in Genesis 1—which, he writes, has too often been used as a justification for domination and exploitation of the earth’s resources. Instead, Bauckham considers the ecological perspectives found in the book of Job, the Psalms, and the Gospels, all of which, he determines, require a re-evaluation of the biblical tradition of “dominion.” Bauckham discovers a tradition of a “community of creation” in which human beings are fellow members with God’s other creatures and true reconciliation to God involves the entire creation. Short, reliable, and engaging, The Bible and Ecology is essential reading for anyone looking for a biblically grounded approach to ecology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Darton, Longman and Todd
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0232527911
• ISBN 13: 9780232527919
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176