Volume 6, Issue 10, June 1997


Good-Bye Frontier Mentality

Theology today must centre upon ecology and conservation of nature. The Old Testament creation story, the first written of two, found in Genesis 2: 4f, views humanity and nature in balance. According to this early "J" version of the creation myth, after God created man he set him in a garden watered by a river and filled with "every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food." Man was given instructions on how to care for the garden and told to "till and keep it." The animals were to be man's "helpers" and were given names by him. He was given a hospitable environment in which he could live in peace and harmony with all forms of life.

In this original creation story there is nothing "fallen" about humankind or nature. There is no split between body and soul, between nature and mind.

Adam, the name in English coming from the Hebrew word "Adamah", meaning "of the earth", describes us as part of the earth but having within us the wind of life. We cannot be divided into a clay body and a divine soul.

Let it be noted that it is this early "J" story which tells the beautiful fable of the creation of woman as the partner of man. In the Hebrew language used by "J" she was equal to man, a true partner. In fact there is irony in the story as man was created out of clay and woman was created out of a living being, as if God had learned better how the job ought to be done.

The narrative continues, taking into account the disruption that has taken place between humans and nature. Humankind became the agent of disequilibrium. Ignoring our mortality we act like we are gods. The driving of the humans from the Garden of Eden in this creation story was done, not because the humans were disobedient, but because they tried to be gods.

As we continue to upset the balance of nature, mistakenly thinking we can regulate nature scientifically, we must see that we must return to a God-centred ascetic world, careful not to try and return to a rustic, pre-industrial time, but a religious revival honouring the earth and the good life, concerned about the forces that destroy the land, such as greedy exploitation, ignorance of wise husbandry, and protection only of that of nature which are merchantable. We must become religiously sensitive of the earth's fertility and its beauty.

Religion connects the fruitfulness of nature with justice and faithfulness on our part. Otherwise we will destroy each other. We must have a healthy natural order and justice among all people. We need a renaissance, a rebirth based on a spiritual initiative, a global religious awakening, to heal our earth and to save the life both of our natural world and ourselves.

Then the prophecy of Joel may come true:
"In that day
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
the hills shall flow with milk,
and all the stream beds of Judah
shall flow with water;
-Joel 3:18

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"Religion NOW" is published in limited edition by the Rev. Ross E. Readhead, B.A., B.D., Certificate of Corrections, McMaster University, in the interest of furthering knowledge and participation in religion. Dialogue is invited and welcomed.