Redeeming Creation: The Biblical Basis for Environmental Stewardship

by Fred Van Dyke, David C. Mahan, Joseph K. Sheldon

"Preeeeep." The sound of the peepers, tiny frogs an inch or two long, penetrated the dusk. Beneath the jack pines at the edge of a small pond in the northern Michigan woods, the males were calling their mates. A professor and a group of ecology students sat speechless as closer and closer, louder and louder, more and more peepers joined in chorus. There was just light enough to see them, crawling up a bracken fern to find a singing perch, filling their throats with air like tiny balloons about to burst and then giving forth at close range an ear-splitting 'preeeeep.; . . . Now we were immersed in the peepers' lives, not ours. And when the concert ended and the peepers had gone away, we laughed together for the sheer joy and power of life displayed for a moment in the grand efforts of one tiny creature to be fruitful and multiply." Combining compelling stories with both biblical and scientific investigation, Redeeming Creation addresses the ecological crisis we face today. The authors, four biologists and teachers, believe that we can face these dilemmas with hope. Moving beyond a mere survey of the planet's ills, they bring Scripture into fruitful dialogue with current scientific findings and commitments. They both inspire and inform our individual and corporate response to God's creation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ecology, Faith, Christian

214 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kate M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERY Christian who has an inkling of empathy for creation ought to read this book. If you are not a creationist, don't be fooled by the title (it is not trying to push for one origins theory, but instead names the natural world as "creation" out of a respect for God and a desire to be different).

I had talked to one of the authors (Mahan) before so a lot of the book was full of ideas I'd already come across, ideas that drive most Christian conservationists and educators to do what they do. But this book goes deeper. A lot deeper. And its call to us Christians to be better stewards was powerful and persuasive - directed at all Christians, not just those in a related field. Even its call to Christian scientists was really helpful for me, as the authors discussed common reasons why Christian scientists start to nurture their careers instead of creation and how to break out of that cycle. Anyway, great book. It renewed my commitment to Biblical conservation, climate activism, and science education. What a breath of fresh air for a group of wise Christians to understand why we need this kind of commitment based on the Bible's first commands to human beings!

[Jim Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of the most theologically sound pieces of work on the subject of ecological stewardship. Every Christian should have this masterpiece on his or her shelf. Great for study groups!

[Rocky Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good PRINCIPLES laid out in the book. I did not agree with some of the issues that they pick out in the book. Some of them truly are issues and some of them are propaganda. The principle of redeeming creation is very helpful in framing the discussion for Christians. I also loved them highlighting that the unbelieving world has no framework for placing value on creation besides their desire for future generations to not grow up in a hellhole. That really isn't a transcendent binding reason on all humans though now is it? They highlight this contradiction and clearly show that only Christians can truly develop an ethic for stewardship of creation.

[Kerrymac · Rating 3 out of 5]

The perspective of this book that the natural world deserves care simply because it it God's creation and our job to steward it is supremely important. I found the presentation of information a bit difficult to follow; this was not an easy read. I read it in consideration or using it for a group at our church. While I learned a lot in the book, I need to find a more accessible book for our group.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read for every world Christian.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking and packed with gems.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to reread this book as so many different thoughts are still whirling through my head.

A real wake-up call for those of us who claim to live our lives as salt and light in this world! I must admit that he was preaching to the converted, but being mentally converted and living a transformed life after are two very different things!

[Gretchen Gingerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading again- good book- a bit dated. Glad to see the conservation movement has matured a bit.