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Mere Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective on Humans and the Natural World
As debates over climate change rage in Washington and American consumers become ever more conscientious about 'going green,' evangelical Christians are increasingly concerned about the proper relationship between faith and environmentalism. The notion of human 'stewardship' over God's creation could be a groundbreaking opportunity for cooperation between evangelicals, the scientific community, and environmental activists. However, a deep understanding of environmental issues from a distinctively Christian perspective will inevitably complicate partnerships with those who approach the subject from conventional secular viewpoints. Although there is some common ground, there remain important differences between Christian and secular perspectives on the environment. Are human beings merely one 'part' of the undifferentiated whole of nature? Or, worse, are humans a blight and a drain on God's perfect creation? Do we really 'own' the land we live on and the plants and animals that provide our sustenance? The answers to these questions begin to form a Christian approach to solving ecological problems. In Mere A Biblical Perspective on Humans and the Natural World, Steven F. Hayward provides a thorough examination of the philosophical presuppositions underlying today's environmentalist movement and the history of policies intended to alleviate environmental challenges such as overpopulation and global warming. Relying on Scripture to understand God's created order, Hayward offers an insightful reflection on the relationship between humans and the natural world.
- GenresNonfictionSchoolPolitics
104 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 8, 2023
Another book for class; this really questioned my thoughts on being a environmentalist and a christian at the same time. The world should be cared for because we were blessed with being on it, however, so many people just trash it.
November 3, 2014
The main objective of “Mere Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective on Humans and the Natural World” by Steven F. Hayward is to point out that “tradeoffs and second-order effects are too often left out of account in conversation about the environment.” (p. 82 – 83) He also highlighted the need for humility and discernment when considering environmentalism from a Christian perspective.
The author outlines four points about the human relationship to nature in Genesis (p. 28):
- The distinctiveness of humans among all the species in nature
- God’s grant of dominion over nature to humans
- The responsibility for the proper stewardship of nature
- Sin, which will complicate the foregoing three aspects of humanity’s place in the world
The author also outlines four lessons about the environment that have emerged in recent years (p. 62 -64):
- Not every environmental problem is a crisis; not every environmental crisis should require the transformation of human nature as a remedy
- Think globally, act locally
- Policymakers and activists need to have a keen sense of tradeoffs between competing approaches to solving particular problems
- Most environmental issues are heavily fact-dependent, susceptible to a range of valid and sometimes contradictory assessments and therefore often fraught with legitimate controversy among specialists
One of the most interesting observations in the book was the author’s interpretation of the relationship between Joseph and Pharaoh and what that meant for the prosperity of Egypt. He sees this story as an example of a twentieth-century totalitarian regime and anti-democratic and unequal practice. The author goes as far as to suggest that the seven years of plenty (the hoarding of resources) may have been the cause for the seven years of famine. The dependency on the centralized political solution led to the surrender of individual liberty (and ultimately the enslavement of the Israelites).
I recommend this short piece on environmentalism to anyone struggling with the concept of stewarding the earth under a Biblical Christian worldview.
The following were noteworthy passages:
“The primary task of a Christian thinker is to focus on what is distinctive about a Christian approach to an issue.” – p. 8
“Humanity’s dominion over nature is not the same thing as humanity’s conquest of nature.” – p. 34
“It is precisely the wealth and technological innovation of industrialized nations that provides the means for environmental improvement and remediation.” – p. 49
“The role of markets and property rights in promoting environmental protection is conspicuously missing from most evangelical literature about the environment.” – p. 56
The author outlines four points about the human relationship to nature in Genesis (p. 28):
- The distinctiveness of humans among all the species in nature
- God’s grant of dominion over nature to humans
- The responsibility for the proper stewardship of nature
- Sin, which will complicate the foregoing three aspects of humanity’s place in the world
The author also outlines four lessons about the environment that have emerged in recent years (p. 62 -64):
- Not every environmental problem is a crisis; not every environmental crisis should require the transformation of human nature as a remedy
- Think globally, act locally
- Policymakers and activists need to have a keen sense of tradeoffs between competing approaches to solving particular problems
- Most environmental issues are heavily fact-dependent, susceptible to a range of valid and sometimes contradictory assessments and therefore often fraught with legitimate controversy among specialists
One of the most interesting observations in the book was the author’s interpretation of the relationship between Joseph and Pharaoh and what that meant for the prosperity of Egypt. He sees this story as an example of a twentieth-century totalitarian regime and anti-democratic and unequal practice. The author goes as far as to suggest that the seven years of plenty (the hoarding of resources) may have been the cause for the seven years of famine. The dependency on the centralized political solution led to the surrender of individual liberty (and ultimately the enslavement of the Israelites).
I recommend this short piece on environmentalism to anyone struggling with the concept of stewarding the earth under a Biblical Christian worldview.
The following were noteworthy passages:
“The primary task of a Christian thinker is to focus on what is distinctive about a Christian approach to an issue.” – p. 8
“Humanity’s dominion over nature is not the same thing as humanity’s conquest of nature.” – p. 34
“It is precisely the wealth and technological innovation of industrialized nations that provides the means for environmental improvement and remediation.” – p. 49
“The role of markets and property rights in promoting environmental protection is conspicuously missing from most evangelical literature about the environment.” – p. 56
February 18, 2016
This book offers intelligent commentary on conservative environmentalism. Despite what one might expect, the book does not advocate unbridled consumption or ignore the issue of the environment entirely. It identifies and accepts real issues with the environment, and often advocates markets, democracy, and freedom as the proper methods to address conservation and environmentalism in the world.
However, the book often cites a Christian perspective on the environment, which seems almost entirely irrelevant to the rest of the book, and is often forced into the narrative. Even when the Christian perspective makes interesting points, they have nothing to do with specific actions that can be taken to advance conservation or environmentalism in the world.
However, the book often cites a Christian perspective on the environment, which seems almost entirely irrelevant to the rest of the book, and is often forced into the narrative. Even when the Christian perspective makes interesting points, they have nothing to do with specific actions that can be taken to advance conservation or environmentalism in the world.
November 11, 2013
This short essay was a fantastic overview and explanation of the conservative evangelical environmental perspective. It was concise and to the point, while covering all the major issues clearly and offering intelligent alternatives to established Christian environmental beliefs. This is exactly the thoughtful, well-reasoned, and well-written conservative counterpoint needed in evangelical environmentalism today.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews