Walking Gently on the Earth: Making Faithful Choices About Food, Energy, Shelter and More

by Lisa Graham McMinn, Megan Anna Neff

2010 Foreword Book of the Year! God created the world in a delicate balance for the good of all plants, animals and people. Tragically, though, from the Fall to today, we as humans have lived in ways that keep living things--including fellow human beings--from surviving at all, much less flourishing. But we can change that. Sociologist and author Lisa McMinn and Megan Anna Neff invite you to rediscover, through new eyes, the beauty and goodness of our earth, and to make faithful choices that will help it prosper. Each chapter uniquely begins with a prelude by Megan Anna that highlights an African perspective or practice, helping us glean the wisdom of another culture and reminding us of the interconnectedness of everything on the earth. Lisa's fluid, passionate writing then offers both the truth about the state of the earth and inspiration to get back to shalom --a peace that allows all things to thrive. Covering such topics as Lisa clearly demonstrates the effects of our choices and makes it easy for us to choose with discernment, with lists of resources and organizations at the end of each chapter. Infused throughout is a deep celebration of the earth God made and declared "excellent in every way" (Genesis 1:31). Come and read. Then go and live with intention, using the power of your choices to walk gently on an earth that is beautiful and broken, that it might come to flourish once again.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction

237 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2010

About the author

As a contemplative Quaker I see my job as loving creation, holding hope, nurturing, laughing, praying, and being attentively grateful. My blog, “Reflections on the Ordinary” captures appreciation for things messy and glorious, ancient and ever-changing, living and dying, and always held in the heart of God.

Alongside writing, my professional journey has included nursing, academia, farming and husbandry, and the offering of spiritual direction. For 20 years I taught sociology to college students, journeying with them as they connected dots from here to there, making sense of the world and their place in it. My Ph.D. gave me access to the ivory towers of academia that continues to inform my writing. When I transitioned out of the classroom, I trained to become a certified Spiritual Director and currently am in a lovely chapter tilted toward spiritual care.

I’m a tender of a small dairy goat herd, dahlias and daffodils, broccoli and beans, and people’s storied lives. In addition to crafting words, I make goat milk soap, and an occasional round of goat milk cheese.

For 44 years I have been married to Mark, and live grateful for our journey together with all its vicissitudes. We live at Fern Creek, a small farm outside of Newberg, Oregon where we preserve what we grown, and so our grandmother’s traditions, and a more simple way of life. For the last 42 I've mothered three extraordinary daughters, and for the last 13 years have had the joy of grandmothering six curious, blossoming souls.

My childhood faith has been deepened and broadened by the contemplative practices of Quakers, earthy Franciscan spirituality, the wisdom of ancient mystics, and most significantly by long walks with God in the woods.

Reviews

[Maria Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a part in chapter five in which the author offers the following invitation: join the conversation. This world in which it's so easy to communicate permits news to travel quite easily; "problem" is that opinions can be loudly ( as in languages that evoke strong feelings) expressed. We can either shy away or take part without really analyzing.

I adore an author who will deal with a polemic topic through an invitation - not trying to move us through fear or shame, but by presenting the facts, sharing their personal story of conviction, and leaving space for our own processing, while also offering grace by pointing our their struggles and "failures" regarding the issue.

This is a book that resonated deeply within me and will be one I couldn't recommend enough.
If you are willing to sit down and join a conversation about living holistically, then this is perfect for you. Each beginning of a chapter is seasoned with a reflection from the author's daughter about an African symbol - what a rich way to point to the beautiful diversity around the earth! What a beautiful way to show how God is creatively expressed in different cultures <3

There are sooooo many quotes I highlighted and want to share... I'll just have to come back once I'm able to finally choose one ;-)

[Kristina Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book is quite outdated at this point in the climate conversation, but is a good primer for helping Christians (particularly more conservative evangelicals) recognize the theological mandate of addressing the climate crisis. I especially appreciated the very concrete action items and resources offered at the end of each chapter.

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it twice and would read again.

[Trice]

A quote upon beginning:

African professor and theologian J. O. Y. Mante says attending to creation is the foundation of all disciplines that are serious about life. Mante says Western theology is ecologically bankrupt. We spend our best theological energy talking about abstract doctrines such as sanctification, or covenants and dispensations, and leave little energy for talking about doctrines connected to living life. The result is that we live a non-ecological existence that is gradually destroying both human and nonhuman life. How, Mante asks, is that Christian? African theology begins by talking about the fundamentals of life that infuse how Christians live - a theology of food, a theology of power. If we are willing to be humble we may learn something of our blind spots by attending to insights that come from Christians outside our own culture. (18)

[Sheri-lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely Christian companion to "Animal Vegetable Miracle".