Modern-day evangelical Christians have largely abdicated the issue of environmental responsibility to those representing radically different positions on the nature of humans as we related to the natural world and our responsibilities regarding our environment. On the other hand, much of liberal Christianity reflects the philosophies of deep ecology, ecocentric environmentalism, ecofeminism, etc. Thus, New Age-oriented adherents to environmentalism and some who claim to be Christians themselves have misrepresented the biblical mandate to take dominion over and serve as the steward of Creation. Yet again, other Christians--mainly evangelicals--are guilty of ignoring proper care for the Creation, seeing it as a "liberal's issue." Both extremes invite criticism.
As with any other subject, when exploring environmental ethics, one needs to discern the underlying worldview in order to understand and critique it. What is the philosophy's view of humankind in relation to nature? Is human progress seen as bad, good, or even the central issue? Is there a true balance between the biblical elevation of man as steward/co-creator/image-bearer and the avoidance of that role's abuse? Backing up a step, is the assumption of man as superior to the rest of nature mere arrogance? What are the foundational presuppositions of the various branches of today's environmental movement and where do they lead? Our Special Focus examines these questions.
The Virgin and the Dynamo: The Use and Abuse of Religion in Environmental Debates Review by Thomas Sieger Derr Derr reviews Royal's book and its new approach to the relation between religion and ecological concerns.
Global Eco-Logic Thomas Sieger Derr Derr opines on the Earth Charter, a document drafted by environmental organizations intended for ratification by the United Nations.
Three Biblical Principles For Environmental Stewardship Dr. Calvin B. DeWitt Brief statement on a Christian view of the believer's mandate from Scripture regarding the Creation from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor DeWitt. Includes Earthkeeping, Sabbath and Fruitfulness Principles.
Global Warming Dr. Ray Bohlin Fossil fuel emissions are unfairly being blamed for global warming. The Kyoto Protocol is based on questionable science, and will cause unnecessary economic hardship.
The Second Time as Farce: Galileo Redux Jonathan Carson Carson critiques the current trend--especially by Vice President Al Gore and certain environmentalists--toward blaming the weather on manmade, not divine, intervention.
Christ and Creation's Longing Richard John Neuhaus Fr. Neuhaus wrote a book about the ecology movement that was published in the early 1970's. At the time, critics of the book said that he simply made too much of a harmless movement that was rooted in common sense. What reflections does the author have about this issue more than a quarter of a century later?
The Great Fear Kenneth R. Weinstein Book review of The Green Crusade: Rethinking the Roots of Environmentalism, by Charles T. Rubin.
A Federalist's Approach to Protecting the Environment Fife Symington A governor reflects on the stewardship understanding of environmental protection that is, he says, most consistent with limited and constitutional government.
Animal Rights, Human Rights Thomas Sieger Derr Derr discusses in depth the various arguments used by the animal rights lobby, which has recently gained quite a bit of attention while the debate takes on new rigor (and sometimes heat). One example, as Derr interprets it: "Humanity is finally a dispensable species: ultimate value is assigned to the whole process of nature rather than any special part of it. We have been, it is said, wrongly anthropocentric."
The Exclusion Zone Cham Dallas, Ph.D. Dr. Dallas led a research team into the Exclusion Zone, containing the highest radioactive contamination following the world's worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. The physical destruction that would have lasting consequences pointed to deeper, spiritual needs worsened by a worldview of exploitation and statism.
AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies provides courses for college students, environmental education for school children and adults, retreats and conferences, and educational outreach services for churches and the wider world community. We do so from campuses in the Great Lakes Forest of northern Michigan, Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay, East Africa, and South India.
Links to More Environmental Resources The page's introductory text reads, "We hope that the following links will help you to explore some of the possibilities available to you in the community of people that care about God's creation and are working to fulfill a commitment to caring."
Trumpeter 1990 (Athabasca University, Canada) Environmental Ethics - Ethical Ecosphere J. Stan Rowe Rowe is an Albertan by birth, and spent nineteen years in federal forestry research, until he went to the University of Saskatchewan in 1967. He is now an emeritus professor. His areas of study are ecology, land use, environmental ethics, and other related subjects. He has a new book due called Home Place , which consists of 28 essays on human ecology from an ecocentric point of view (editor's emphasis).
Syllabus of environmental studies course Dr. Geoffrey Frasz Fairly extensive bibliography organized by several environmentalist philosophies.
Go here to see our past Special Focus features.