In Brief: For the Beauty Introduction and Chapter 1

Introduction
What possible relevance, the author asks, does ecology have for Chistian theology? What is theologically wrong with ecological degradation? These are some very tough questions that Dr. Bouma-Prediger asks, but the purpose of his book For the Beauty of the Earth is to answers questions such as these and prompt some more. The central claim of the book is that authentic Christian faith requires (notice the language, he very intentional about his use of words) ecological obedience. "To care for the earth is integral to the Christian faith." What do you think - do you believe that authentic Christians are required to be ecologically obedient? Why or why not?

Chapter 1: Where Are We?
Chapter one's primary focus is calling the reader to his/her attention to their surroundings. "Do you know where you are?" asks Dr. B-P. "What is the soil like around your home? What are five agricultural plants in your region? What flowers bloom where you live? When did it last rain?" And so on goes the line of questioning. Questions like these test our knowledge of where we are. For example, I live in West Michigan. My soil is very sandy in some places, but in others very hard from clay deposits. Five agricultural plants that grow in my region are: apples, blueberries, corn, soybeans, strawberries. Tulips are the predominent blooming flower where I live. And it rained last night. And so I ask you - do you know where you live? We know the things we love, and if we know where we live in a more intimate way, we're likely to love and care more for it.

Dr. B-P contends that we are ecologically illiterate. We're simply not aware of our surroundings, therefore, our unawareness (or knowledge) leads to apathy or disconcern for the creation around us. Hence, "knowing, caring, and practical competence constitute the basis of ecological literacy" (David Orr). To wrap up chapter one, I'll close with a list, from the book, of 5 components to seeing our place:

1. We need a broad understanding of how people and cultures / societies relate to each other and to nature.
2. We need to know something about the ecological crisis that we face.
3. We need to know something about the dynamics of our world - historical, political, religious, etc.
4. We need to have some familiarity with the development of "ecological consciousness." Are we humans, earth dominators? Or are we just visitors in a world that is not ours?
5. We need alternative measures of well-being. For example, the Sustainable Economic Welfare versus the GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

In summary, to be more ecologically literate requires some knowledge of various systems, dynamics, and interrelationships between humans and the "world." We need some understanding of people, societies, the ecological crises of the day, as well as some knowledge of alternative standards for measuring just how well we're doing besides the Gross Domestic Product. Is knowledge key? Will knowledge prompt you or me to care more? These questions will be explored further.

To close this post, I'll end with a quote from the book, "The fit between humanity and its habitat" is the agenda of the twenty-first century, a matter of human survival. We simply must become more ecologically literate. We have no choice.