Living in God's Creation: Orthodox Perspectives on Ecology

by Elizabeth Theokritoff

Few realize how ecological the vision of Orthodox Christianity really is. Yet it portrays creation as God's epiphany and the human person as a connecting link between creation and Creator. Christian love is manifest through "the right use of material things." To communicate this vision, Elizabeth Theokritoff draws on ancient sources, the Fathers, the liturgy, and saints' lives, on modern commentators, and on practical examples from our lived experience. The thematic arrangement makes it a convenient resource for teachers. It is compelling reading, and demonstrates that environmental concerns have deep roots in Christian tradition.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christian

265 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this book. It verbalized a lot of the things I've been thinking about in abstract ways. I think I was hoping it was going to have slightly more practical elements, or dive deeper into specific issues (honestly, it kind of felt like the author was trying to stay vague to keep from offending anyone), but it was still a really beneficial read, and I highly recommend it, not just to Orthodox Christians but to anyone who cares about patristics and being a human who lives on a planet.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I stumbled across it in a search for a high school ecology book for my oldest children. It looked intriguing enough, but I did not expect to be so impacted by it! I would say it is an absolute must-read for all Christians, Orthodox or not. This beautiful book draws out our role in relation to the cosmos and shows how important and all-encompassing the subject of ecology really is. It's not just about recycling or green living; it's about the deep interconnectedness of all creation.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps one of the best books I've read on the relationship between faith and ecology. While addressed to Orthodox Christians, the book offers a presentation of Christian teaching on ecology that has a much broader appeal. It also offers some real ways in which we can transform our relationship to creation.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book to be a lot of familiar Orthodox ideas just applied this time to ecology.