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.
—Byron Barlowe, Editor/Webmaster, Leadership University
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.
Fears Rise as Ozone Levels Drop Dr. Hugh Ross A 1991 bulletin from the founder of Reasons to Believe, this essay takes a sober look at research of that period. The most valuable part for Christians is his advice on how to respond to the fears the subject raises, especially for the sake of nonbelievers.
The Gospel of the Trees: The strange rise of eco-faith David Klinghoffer Are the environmental policies of G.W. Bush foolish? Reckless? Or positively sinful? All three, with an emphasis on "sinful," according to religious environmentalists, devotees of something called "eco-faith."
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.
UN Conferences Kerby Anderson Looks at UN Conferences held in 1990s and focuses most attention on Habitat II. Concludes with a discussion of globalism. A doctrine of environmental ethics contrary to a biblical understanding of man's relationship to nature figures heavily into the assumptions and decrees of several UN conferences, portending the demise of national sovereignty, draconian taxes and regulations and other ill effects.
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.
Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) and Creation Care magazine EEN is a unique evangelical ministry initiated by World Vision and Evangelicals for Social Action as part of a growing movement among Christians to respond faithfully to our biblical mandate for caring stewardship of God's creation. EEN was formed because we recognize many environmental problems are fundamentally spiritual problems. EEN's flagship publication, Creation Care magazine, provides you with biblically informed and timely articles on topics ranging from how to protect your loved ones against environmental threats to how you can more fully praise the Creator for the wonder of His creation.
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.
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