Hebrew Bible and Environmental Ethics: Humans, NonHumans, and the Living Landscape

Religious leaders and lay people are looking to their traditions for resources to respond to the environmental crisis, and Mari Joerstad's book examines the Hebrew Bible's attribution of activity and affect to trees, fields, soil, and mountains. She shows how biblical writers go beyond sustainable development and envision human communities that are sources of joy to plants and animals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The environmental crisis has ignited a search among religious leaders and laypeople for guidance and solutions in addressing the devastating impact of environmental degradation. In this insightful book, Mari Joerstad makes a valuable contribution to this collective effort by delving into an often overlooked aspect of the Hebrew Bible: its attribution of activity and influence to trees, fields, soil, and mountains. The Bible presents a rich tapestry of a social cosmos, where humans are just one unique species among many. Joerstad employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from biblical studies and anthropological writings on animism, to trace the active presence of non-animal nature throughout the canon. Through her meticulous research, she reveals how biblical writers extend beyond the realm of sustainable development, urging us to cultivate a deep sense of responsibility towards mountains, trees, fields, and vineyards. They envision human communities as sources of joy and nourishment for both plants and animals.

What sets the Biblical writers' perspective on inhabited spaces apart in contemporary environmental ethics is their unwavering emphasis on the role of cities, suburbs, and villages in creating flourishing landscapes. They recognize that human activities and settlements can either harm or contribute to the health and vitality of the natural world. By highlighting the interconnectedness between human beings and the surrounding environment, the Bible offers a profound moral framework for addressing the urgent challenges of our time.

In conclusion, this book by Mari Joerstad is a valuable addition to the ongoing dialogue on environmental sustainability and ethics. By exploring the overlooked attribution of activity and influence to trees, fields, soil, and mountains in the Hebrew Bible, Joerstad provides a fresh perspective that challenges us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world. Through her meticulous research and compelling arguments, she encourages us to cultivate a deeper sense of responsibility and compassion towards all forms of life, paving the way for a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108700665