Book Reviews: Saving God’s Green Earth and Earth-wise
The two books, Saving God’s Green Earth and Earth-wise are outstanding examples of literature pertaining to a Christian response to creation care. Saving God’s Green Earth, by Tri Robinson, brings out the specific position of churches and what kind of action they should be taking in order to change within. This then sets examples for those who do not attend church. This guidance comes from Robinson’s own experience in his home church in Boise, Idaho, through the steps they are taking, and the influence they are having. Earth-wise, by the well-known Calvin Dewitt, comes at the idea of creation care from a slightly different angle. Unlike Robinson, Dewitt does not focus almost entirely on the church and their response to creation in its current state, but rather on people themselves and the reason we as humans on earth must care for the creation.
Churches are not exactly known for positive environmental impacts. Robinson’s experience in reversing this in his own church and the influence this reversal has had in the community is mapped out in Saving God’s Green Earth. The stories of the change within the church and the impact on the community as told by Robinson, are inspiring. Starting with a church that did not have any recycling, to introducing an environmental stewardship team, to going out into the community and initiating recycling to fund hurricane recovery, and the handing out of reusable grocery bags, this church has started to introduce positive measures that can be followed for creation care. At the end of every chapter are short biographies on important people in the movement for creation care today. These are especially interesting as they show the wide range of people and the tasks these people are undertaking in order to clean up and maintain what God has called us to. This quick and easy read, in the hands of passionate people, will lead to incredible changes in churches and communities today.
Calvin Dewitt’s book, Earth-wise, also approaches environmental issues from a Christian perspective. Dewitt, a well known author, professor, and environmentalist, writes this book from less of a church perspective, as in Robinsons, but directs it more at individuals, at Christians. Dewitt has a strong belief that God has given everything to us and thus we need to respect it. He discusses and describes the wonder and awe of the creation throughout his seven provisions that then are counteracted by what he calls the seven degradations of creation. Through these, Dewitt creates a strong case for the preservation of creation. Despite the fact that Calvin Dewitt’s book, Earth-wise, feels much less institutionalized when it comes to Christian creation care, at the end of every main section he includes a number of valuable questions and resources for group discussion. This book, slightly more technical and developed than Robinsons, is a must read for any Christian.
Both Saving God’s Green Earth, and Earth-wise are powerful books in the area of creation care. These books have the power to aid all those who read them, as well as those who reap the effects of those who read them, to become influential stewards of creation.
Robinson, Tri. Saving God’s Green Earth. Garden City, ID: Ampelon Publishing, 2006.
Dewitt, Calvin B. Earth-wise. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources,
2007.
Posted: November 6th, 2009 under Boender, Book Review.
Tags: creation care, dewitt, earthwise, robinson, saving God's green earth
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!