Ever since its original publication over a decade ago, Earthkeeping has presented a thought-provoking, biblically
based call for responsible stewardship. In view of the continuing environmental crisis worldwide and in light of
increased ecological awareness in recent years, the book's message regarding "earthkeeping" is now more
pertinent than ever.
This greatly revised and augmented edition of Earthkeeping updates the original edition while retaining the same
breadth of perspective, reflecting the combined insights of Christian scholars in biology, physics, economics,
literature, and philosophy. The book begins by laying out, with scientific precision, the state of the planet.
Several chapters then carefully examine various historical and contemporary views of creations. Next the authors
survey biblical and theological teaching relative to humanity's use of creation. The book concludes by offering
helpful, practical guidelines for an earthkeeping ethic.
Besides providing an updated "state of the planet" analysis, this revised edition of Earthkeeping deals
with recent cultural and religious developments, incorporating new material, for example, on the "Deep Ecology"
and "new age" movements, the Gaia hypothesis, and ecofeminism. This edition also takes into account the
recent wealth of Christian thinking about the earth, including the recovery of important but neglected voices from
the Christian tradition, such as Hildegard of Bingen and Celtic spirituality.
At the end of the book, an expanded and updated annotated bibliography, organized according to subject area, and
new indexes (of names and subjects and of Scripture references) enhance the value of Earthkeeping as a significant
resource fostering better human stewardship of God's creation.
Table of Contents
Preface
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction Humanity and the Earth: Two Futures
Section I The State of the Planet
1. The Land Entrusted to Us
2. The Creatures under Our Care
3. The Human Deluge
4. The Earth and Its Fullness: Minerals and Energy
Section II The Earth Keepers
Part A Historical Roots
5. The Contribution of the Greeks
6. The Medieval View of Nature
7. The Scientific Revolution
8. The North American Experience
9. The Environmental Movement: Searching for a New Religion
Part B Our Mind Today
10. Models: What's Behind Our Mind Today?
11. Economics: Managing Our Household
12. Valuing Creation
13. The Appropriateness of Technology
Section III The Earth is the Lord's
14. Dominion as Stewardship: Biblical Principles of Earthkeeping
15. Stewardship
16. Inheriting the Land: Resources and Justice
Section IV What Shall We Do?
Guideposts
A Steward's Hymn
Appendixes
A What You Can Do
B For Further Reading
C Case Study: Recycled Paper
