Analysis of articles on ecology and creation
Ruether, Rosemary Radford Gaia and God ( Introduction and Chp. 1, "Three Classical Creation Stories." And Chp. 2, "Does Science Have a New Creation Story"?)
Lynn White, Jr. "The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis"
Fox, Matthew "Viriditas: Greening Power"
In these articles, the authors consider various aspects of the debate between life and science which is all important in today’s day and age. In the first story, Ruether and Radford espouse the importance of God in the context of the creation which is not always considered appropriately but which also focuses on how the creation may be understood from a non scientific point of view. This intrinsically means that although life is inextinguishable in certain aspects of it, one must always be careful to understand the true meaning in this context. Man has been entrusted with the planet and all its resources and these must also be properly nurtured to ensure that everything stays within the limits of nature and these resources must not be abused. The second chapter continues to argue that science can have a new creation story and this is also an intrinsic gift from God who is ever present even when one cannot hear or see.
In Sanchez, the author attempts to focus on the importance of combining natural resources which are based on the animal, vegetable and mineral aspects. She is circumspect about how God comes into proceedings here but also focuses intrinsically on nature as a fulcrum for development and growth yet always within the context of balance. The earth is blessed with the right amount of natural resources for everyone and this must also be taken into context accordingly.
“When the majority of this nation’s people consider environmental preservation to be more important than plundering it for economic gain, then they (we) will develop more appropriate methods for providing the basic human needs” (Animal, Vegetable and Mineral, p. 1), is an intriguing quote showing the importance of ecological balance.
White’s article is hugely interesting as this analyses the historical problems behind today’s environmental shortcomings and disasters. These are based principally on man’s insatiable thirst to acquire more from the earth and to go forward and make life a constant struggle for more material gain. This obviously disrupts the balance of life and leaves everything strewn with disaster in all aspects. White observes that little can now be done to arrest the considerable developmental disaster which has plagued the earth and which is now being observed in climate change.
Returning to Sanchez who states: “Where you live now was once home to your Native American ancestors hundreds or, possibly, thousands of years ago. Who were they?” (Animal, Vegetable and Mineral, p. 8), a powerful quote indeed.
In the final article. Matt Fox looks at several aspects of the greening revolution which shows that although life may not be a bed of roses, there is still a lot to gain if a greening revolution is implemented. This may mean that green technology will assist people to grow new crops and to make the most out of what is available in life with modern scientific technology. This may also mean that man may focus on what is needy first and what can be materially acquired second although there is always the factor of life and its inextinguishable foibles involved also.
