By Patrick Maxwell

If you want to know what the wrath of God looks like, just ask Calvin Redekop. In a startling tale of cosmic justice made personal, Redekop — the editor of Creation & the Environment: An Anabaptist Perspective on a Sustainable World — relates in the book’s introduction his story of the consequences of offense against God’s created order. As he came of age in Montana in the 1930s, Redekop witnessed huge dust storms, ecological devastation, and eventual agricultural collapse brought about by the transformation of the rich prairie ecosystem into monoculture farmland generations before him. It’s a tale reminiscent of the Biblical adage of God visiting the crimes of the fathers upon their descendents; as in the Old Testament stories of sin and judgment, the farmers who transgressed against creation brought down punishment on their children and grandchildren.

Redekop’s introductory story thus frames humanity’s environmental destruction in spiritual terms, and the rest of the book tidily follows suit. Perspectives from Mennonite theologians, activists, economists, and laypersons fill out a vision for an Anabaptist ethic grounded in the very real awareness that ecological sin brings destruction and poverty. The book is surprising in its scope; it begins with a summary of humanity’s effect on the biosphere, and covers both Anabaptist thought and action both past and modern. Although undoubtedly a scholarly work, the essays are engaging and generally easy to read, and the authors include examples, stories, and anecdotes to aid the reader’s understanding.

While Creation & the Environment is certainly not the only book to attempt a fusion of Christianity with modern environmentalism, the authors’ attention to extra-Biblical knowledge places it ahead of purely theological works. The essayists use a mix of Scriptural influences and modern-day examples from the fields of sociology, biology, and economics to build a grounded, relevant theology of environmental responsibility. So while Leviticus 25 proclaims “the land is mine, for ye are but strangers and sojourners,” the book’s opening essay (“Economics, Development, and Creation,” by James and Karen Harder) shows the extent to which that verse has been disobeyed. The overall effect is engaging and effective, and the book — and, by association, the Mennonite Church — proves itself as a relevant source in the arena of creation care.

Overall, the book is relevant, well-written, and engaging. The only thing it needs? A second edition. The original was written in 2000, and essays date from years earlier (one author even feels compelled to explain what “electronic mail” is!). In a field like environmentalism, staying current counts — but in all other arenas, this book is a winner. Pick it up. You won’t be disappointed.

This is a blog by Phil Wood, a UK based Mennonite who is part of the Wood Gree Mennonite Church near Epping Forest, London.  Phil is also I also a lifelong birdwatcher and a member of the Green Party.  Phil’s blog covers a variety of topics, including the ecological crisis from a British perspective. Here’s a link to entries with an ecological theme.

The review is by Luke Gascho, chair of Mennonite Creation Care Network’s Creation Care Council. The book, Global Warming and the Risen Lord, is by Jim Ball.

A gripping center point in this book is the statement “Overcoming global warming is a spiritual challenge.” Such a statement is rare in most conversations about climate change and environmental degradation. Skeptics in society – as well as in the evangelical Christian community – often dismiss the evidence of global warming and overlook the idea that the condition of the soul is at the core of the cause and thinking about the issue. Jim Ball tackles this concept head-on in his writing.

This book is a valuable resource for leaders and laypeople that want to gain understanding of a topic that is regularly in the news, in political debates, and in daily conversations. Dr. Ball develops a logical framework for the reader, which can be studied in a sequential reading of the book or used as a resource by selecting individual chapters to inform conversations. The three sections of the book intersect with each other in a remarkable fashion. As a reader, I appreciated the careful outline and description of the realities of climate change in the first section. A strength of the book’s argument comes from the author’s carefully footnoted statements about climate change that are based on the best scientific sources. Illustrations of the impacts of climate change are inserted graphically through out the book. I believe that someone who reads the book carefully will either be convinced of the reality of climate change or will recognized what they already believed about the issue has been articulated in a helpful manner for increased understanding.

The middle section of the book is strategically and artfully placed between the description of the climate change issue and the last section dealing with responsive actions. Jim carefully leads the reader through a thorough biblical study of who the Risen Lord is and who we are in relation to the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer. I am grateful for the way’s that Jim lifts up the teachings of Christ as a clear and crucial guide for how we must act in our daily lives – and in particular in response to the daunting challenges of climate change.

Chapter 10 is a very powerful account of Dr. Ball’s personal experience with Christ in a youth and on into his life’s work. It is here that the reader discovers why Jim is so passionate about the poor of the world and the why Christians need to act. It is gripping to read of the events of his hometown as he was growing up as a child. He shares the tensions of the civil rights issues, as well as the ways that the church failed to lead or act on the injustices that surrounded them in daily life. Jim makes it clear that the injustices of climate change are areas where Christians must act today and that we should learn from the failures of our inactions in the past. The case is articulated well, with passion, and with inspiration. The church must act and not deny.

A critical theme that runs throughout the book is that of the poor and our responsibility to take action. This point is made with regional and global statistics as well as with a biblical context. I am impressed with how Dr. Ball articulates that the Risen Lord demonstrated His love for the poor and disadvantaged – and calls His followers to walk in His steps. As Christians, we have often fallen into an individually focused view of who Christ is. Jim doesn’t allow us to be in that mode of operation. As he says, “Christ… afflicts the comfortable.” Christians of the 21st Century must act on Christ’s teachings, which also means leading in response to global warming.

The final section of the book is filled with realistic and credible responses to climate change. The reader is not left with a feeling of hopelessness, but rather the awareness that there are practices that will make a difference and must be pursued now. I found the concepts of mitigation, poverty-reduction and adaptation to be grounded in good practice and policy. As Dr. Ball notes, we must have a moral and political will to act, secure funding, provide good governance, right policies, accurate information, integrated responses and community engagement.

I am grateful that a person like Jim Ball has written this book for the evangelical church. He is able from his years of work on the issues of climate change to speak with integrity. His passion for the topic is evident in this book and has great congruence with the professional leadership he has provided to the church and society for several decades. He calls us to be alert and responsive – and of great importance – to be spiritually healthy. Read this book, be moved and act.

In October 2008, The Mennonite published “Do You Have Pleonexia?” by Valerie Weaver-Zercher. The article discusses the desire for consumption specifically within the Mennonite church. Pleonexia is a Greek word which is described by ethicist John Haughey as “a passion for more” and Weaver-Zercher suggests that the problem is more than individualistic; it is nation-wide and therefore “our” problem. She says, “Only when we are aware of the cravings behind our consumption can we learn to look in places more likely to provide their fulfillment—such as church community, the natural world or worship—than things that moth and rust destroy.”

http://www.themennonite.org/issues/11-20

Anna Groff, assistant editor for The Mennonite, conducts a 3-part series in the summer of 2008 in which she interviews three couples who used green practices when planning their weddings. Speaking to invitations, gift registry and wedding favors, the couples answer Goff’s questions in a way that leaves the reader intrigued – not guilty. Groff’s style is informal as she lets each couple speak for themselves. Their actions toward stewardship are small, simple and hopeful.

Follow this link to the July article. Find the rest of the series by looking in back-issues of The Mennonite (8-19-2008 and 9-2-2008) or by searching their web for “wedding.”

http://www.themennonite.org/issues/11-13/articles/A_wedding_registry_with_the_earth_in_mind

Mennonite Church Canada unites Mennonite congregations across the nation. Their vision invites growth of individuals and communities and, out of that growth, outreach to the world. The Resource Centre is an electronic library that crosses the miles and time differences. Canadian residents are welcome to search for and order books, DVD’s and other library resources on subjects ranging from the Bible, global awareness, peace, social issues and youth ministry. Though items are not shipped across the Canadian/U.S. border, citizens of the U.S. are invited to visit their web for helpful links to sources in their own country.

This is a one-stop-shop for reliable, up-to-date materials – a brilliant resource.

www.mennonitechurch.ca/resourcecentre

In seven pages, Cathleen Hockman-Wert considers the relationship between food and spirituality in her article “Preaching the Good new with our Mouths Full” published in Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology. In a light-hearted way, Hockman-Wert invites discussion on how daily choices in food affect the world whether for better or worse. She suggests several tried-and-true ways to use food choices as an act of Christian witness. She discusses food as a gift, a moral issue and a spiritual discipline.

Hockman-Wert inspires a delightful challenge when she quotes Wendell Berry: “Our Anabaptist tradition emphasizes discipleship: a concern for how we live out our faith in ordinary life. The constant nature of our need to eat provides a tremendous opportunity to express our faith every day.”

Hockman-Wert co-authored Simply in Season a cookbook commissioned by Mennonite Central Committee.

http://www.mennovision.org/Volume9-1.htm

In the spring of 2008, Joanne Moyer published an article in Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology called “Roots, branches, and seeds: Exploring Western society’s exploitative tendencies.” This eleven page article draws attention to our conceptions of humanity and The Divine and addresses issues of science and the economy.

“Our society’s economic focus could be compared to that of a family concerned only with their bank account and monetary transactions, while their yard fills with garbage and the house crumbles,” says Moyer.

Moyer concludes the article with a hopeful look to the future.

http://www.mennovision.org/Volume9-1.htm

Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology is published by two Mennonite seminaries. It intends to help church leaders “reflect theologically on the identity, mission and practices of the church from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.” Each issue has a theme, and this one is on creation care.  Contributors include Wilma Ann Bailey, Steven Bouma-Prediger, Joanne Moyer, Cathleen Hockman-Wert. Questions asked here include “What values and beliefs make our society so destructive to the earth?” and “Will riding my bicycle bring world peace?” Unfortunately only a few articles are available on the web. Back issues are $9.50 US, $10.50 Canada.

http://www.mennovision.org/Volume9-1.htm

A magazine which provides helpful information in event planning, Rejuvenate debuted in December 2006. The magazine is published six times a year with one special issue in November. The magazine has won several awards, but the website is also worth a look as it features recent stories and a few pieces from archived material including “Keeping them Safe” by Jennifer Garrett and China DeSpain Freeman which speaks on tips to protecting youth during conferences. Christine Born wrote “Look Who Wants Your Business Now” which discusses the recent trend of resorts hosting faith-based conferences due to decreased interest in leisure travel.

Check out Rejuvinate for opportunities to host high-quality events with low impact on the environment.

http://www.rejuvenatemeetings.com/