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Embracing a ‘green’ biblical creed

Creation care — Passages about caring for the Earth highlighted in green ink in the Green Bible

• By: Laurent Bonczijk  
• Published: 11/13/2009 3:52:54 PM

Photo By: Laurent BonczijkA new way of looking at the Bible
It has been a trend among Evangelical Christians to reconsider their position toward the earth and to become more considerate of creation, said GFU professor Paul Anderson.

   Christians have a new option for their spiritual reading: the green Bible. A spin off the red-letter Bible, so named because the words of Jesus are printed in red ink, this edition has verses relating to creation and the care of creation printed in green ink.
   “I think the Bible is one of the greatest sources of philosophy of creation care,” said George Fox University professor of Biblical and Quaker studies Paul Anderson. Using the New Revised Standard Version this edition, has a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as 12 essays by leading Christian theologians including the late Pope John Paul II.
   There is an emphasis on humans being called to tend the garden, which Anderson said is a metaphor for taking care of the earth. Opening the book Anderson showed that the Genesis 1-3 are almost entirely printed in green, soy-based ink. Dominion over the earth has been misinterpreted by political and religious leaders “to excuse taking advantage of the earth,” he said. Anderson argues that the correct reading encourages prudent husbandry of the earth instead.
   To have dominion does not mean to exploit, Anderson said, but rather to tend and to grow. “In nearly every case the Bible teaches against exploiting the earth,” he said.
   God providing the earth for food is different from an invitation to exploit, the order is to cultivate and enhance fertility not to decimate the earth, Anderson said. The theme of caring for the earth is even present during the Sermon on the Mount as well.
   While this version is no different than dozen of others available, “it helps the reader think about ecological implications of text,” Anderson said. It has been a trend among Evangelical Christians to reconsider their position toward the earth and to become more considerate of creation, he added.
   A Quaker himself, Anderson said the theme of creation care has long been dear to his denomination and he predicted that “Quakers will like the green Bible and so will young people who have a concern for God’s creation.”
   The Green Bible is published by HaperOne and can be purchased at Chapters Books for $29.95.

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