Ecology and theology : Christian responses to Lynn White Jr.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 130-135)This thesis challenges widely publicized views, as\ud particularly expressed by the late Lynn White Jr., suggesting\ud that Judea-Christian concepts of man's transcendence\ud and "rightful" mastery over nature have made it possible\ud for Western man to exploit nature for his own selfish\ud purposes. While it is true that Christians have generally\ud treated the earth no differently than their non-Christian\ud counterparts, it is here suggested that exploitation of\ud nature is neither unique to modern man nor precipitated by\ud religious beliefs. Furthermore, critical biblical interpretation\ud reveals a holistic view of man and nature\ud whereby man is called into a relationship with nature\ud based on careful, nurturing dominion, responsible stewardship\ud and a covenantal co-existence that includes nature in\ud the scope of redemption.\ud In view of the seriousness of our global environmental\ud limitations, current interest in the impact of\ud very human elements affecting man's behavior, and White's\ud own challenge that science alone cannot resolve our world's \ud dilemma, the Christian community responded, in considerable\ud measure, by carefully examining. White's thesis in light of\ud biblical principles and Christian practice. This paper\ud primarily summarizes Protestant response (though not exclusively)\ud and suggests a potential role for theology in the\ud interface between nature and humanity