The Green Bible: Religious faith with a sustainable message
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A couple of weeks ago, Christina Clark noted that Harper Collins had made plans to release The Green Bible in October. Now that the good book is on shelves, it's interesting to see how HC has worked to produce a text that really highlights sustainability, both in its package and its message. In addition to using recycled content paper, soy-based ink, and a cotton/linen cover, the publisher has ensured that the sources for its materials hew to the highest standards available. All of the book's virgin wood pulp is sourced from "well-managed forests," and the cover is produced by factories that purify both their wastewater and air before releasing them into the environment. The goal, clearly, is to produce a text that relieves purchasers of any sense of enviro-guilt, even as it sets a standard for clean publishing.In terms of content, The Green Bible is equally audience-oriented. Rather than use the dense St. James version of the Bible, or another inaccessible translation, Harper Collins has chosen to go with the New Revised Standard Version, an easy-to-read version, with simple language that conveys effectively to a broad audience. While many editions use red ink to indicate Jesus' words, The Green Bible uses green ink to draw attention to verses that address the environment. This should be particularly useful to anyone who is trying to come up with the perfect Biblical anecdote to illustrate an environmentalist point.
Over the past few months, the Vatican has made a concerted effort to increase worldwide environmental awareness; it's moves have included the decision to go carbon neutral, the acknowledgment of environmental sins, and the Pope's claim that the earth has been plundered. This green tendency has highlighted a larger move toward what religious eco-activist J. Michael Sleeth calls "creation care," a theology that puts environmental activism on the forefront of man's relationship with God. It remains to be seen if the positioning of waste as a basically immoral act will have a lasting effect on humanity. In the meantime, The Green Bible makes a pretty good argument that Judeo-Christian spirituality and environmental awareness aren't mutually exclusive!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-02-2008 @ 3:04PM
Matt Tennison said...
yeah....but if you read revelation, you'll see where the Earth is ultimately headed...I'm just sayin' is all.
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10-08-2008 @ 4:09PM
Maria Mederos said...
If we believe God created & therefore owns all that exists, visible & invisible, then we must take care of ALL in order to show our respect & worship of Him...just like we would show respect of someone's private property. How can we say we care for His invisible creation [spiritual] when we don't even take care of what's in front of our eyes!
I have always been attracted to the ecological message in the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, who would be a great advocate of "green theology". He so loved God so much, that he loved EveryTHING that's His as well.
I think your website is a great idea! Kudos to you!
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10-11-2008 @ 6:38PM
Martin Olson said...
Reguarding the coment if we read Revalations then we can see where the earth is headed will I do not think even that person has the full picture of where the earth is going and if they were a true Christian they would be looking forward to where the earth was going becuase one day this earth is going to be made new and it will become the residence of are heavenly Father and are Savour Jesus Christ. You must read the complete book of Revalations and Study it not just parts and not just go through it one time it will not help to read it just once I Garentee it!
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10-11-2008 @ 6:45PM
craig said...
#3 - that is pretty ballsy to make an assumption to #1 that "if they were a true Christian they would be looking forward to where the earth was going ". well a "true Christian" would not have said Revelations in plural form which it is not. They would have said Revelation in singular which is how it is pronounced. So Martin, you might want to take your own advice and maybe start at the very beginning of this book and see what is said. The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John. And it does say that this earth is headed for ultimate destruction which in turn comes a new heaven and a new earth, like you added. This is what my KJV says, your perverted scripture might read different i.e. NIV or your Green bible. And if you want a better understanding of this Book than do yourself a favor and read the Book of Daniel and the Prophets. This is what a true Christian should do. Guaranteed!
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10-11-2008 @ 6:47PM
craig said...
#3 - that is pretty ballsy to make an assumption to #1 that "if they were a true Christian they would be looking forward to where the earth was going ". well a "true Christian" would not have said Revelations in plural form which it is not. They would have said Revelation in singular which is how it is pronounced. So Martin, you might want to take your own advice and maybe start at the very beginning of this book and see what is said. The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John. And it does say that this earth is headed for ultimate destruction which in turn comes a new heaven and a new earth, like you added. This is what my KJV says, your perverted scripture might read different i.e. NIV or your Green bible. And if you want a better understanding of this Book than do yourself a favor and read the Book of Daniel and the Prophets. This is what a true Christian should do. Guaranteed!
Reply