Zadok Catalogue 2010

Environmental Issues

The groaning of creation: a Pauline eco-missiology based on a narrative reading of Romans.
By Mick Pope
Zadok Paper S169, Spring 2009
A close reading of Romans reveals that there is more to the gospel that meets the eye if we have the right glasses on. While the gospel is theocentric, ie: concerned with God’s righteousness and is anthropocentric in that it is focused strongly on humans made in his image, in is not anthromonistic, ie: not solely focused on humans. Humanity’s original mandate was to care for creation as co-rules and co-creators.

Missionary grow home!
Marcus Curnow
Zadok Paper S167, Autumn 2009
Rejecting the tempting environmental discourses of abstraction, and drawing strongly from the practical ideology of bioregionalism, and its discourses of “home,” an eco-missiology of replacement offers a particular framework for economic, social-political and spiritual renewal. Both conceptual and practical, personal and political, the work of re-placement is an empowering and creative process of literally ‘growing home.’ It is ‘place’ both old and new when we can fulfill the oldest (and yet newly urgent) biblical call to mission, the call to take care of the creation.

A Christian response to environmental destruction poverty.
Ben Clarke
Zadok Paper S166, Autumn 2009
Humans balance. This is how we move and how we manage our interactions with each other, the world and with God. Yet we see around us that there are huge social and environmental imbalances practiced daily with seeming consummate ease. This essay examines the balancing act we play with wealth, and resources, and the tension that is caused by the imbalances of the reality we live every day.

An eye on the earth: wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen: but for the greed
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 106, Autumn 2010
When commenting on the Wall Street crash of the 1930s, Galbraith observed in 1961 that the fundamental flaw – “a total lack of a concern for the consequences of untrammeled greed’ had not been rectified. He could have been writing about the recent GFC, and greed may also have been a factor for the Copenhagen Accord being much less than what people were hoping for.

An eye on the earth: and we call animals dumb
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 105, Summer 2009
There is no logic, or honesty, in welcoming more people and at the same time campaigning to reduce global warming.

An eye on the earth: what’s wrong (?)
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 104, Spring 2009
Coal mining is already causing damage to waterways in parts of the Sydney water catchment.

An eye on the earth: when will we ever learn?
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 103, Winter 2009
We cannot fight and conquer this land, we must live in companionship and harmony with it.

Shopping Christmas
Alison Sampson
Zadok Perspectives 102, Autumn 2009
We live in a culture that promises spiritual satisfaction through consumption. Yet this is a big lie. Our consumer goods are cheap and readily available because other people in ‘special’ economic zones work in appalling and unregulated conditions to make them. They cost the earth in environmental degradation.

Practical action on climate change
Miriam Pepper
Zadok Perspectives 102, Autumn 2009
Our lens of seeing action on climate change as about re-establishing relationships opens up a range of creative options for reducing our carbon footprints. One practice from which my church, Maroubra Junction Uniting Church has drawn inspiration, is sharing possessions.

Water lines
Barbara Deutschmann
Zadok Perspectives 102, Autumn 2009
While the State of Victoria ponders its own water problems, on the world stage three scenarios are combining toward disaster.

Why campaign on climate change
John McKinnon
Zadok Perspectives 102, Autumn 2009
The real inconvenient truth is not the reality of anthropogenic climate change but the fact that our wealth has been at the expense of the future suffering of the poorest and most marginalized people on the earth.

Reconciling ecology & economy
a conversation with Steve Hatfield Dodds
Zadok Perspectives 102, Autumn 2009
My professional view is that you probably can’t govern china under unmitigated climate change. So the incentive for the Chinese government to help craft an international agreement that addresses climate change is absolutely huge. This is a national security issue for China, and a national security issue for India. It’s about food supply and food security and water…

An eye on the earth: wilderness and the solitary place
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 101, Summer 2008
At different times, we all need a quiet place, or more especially, a solitary place…

Not such a big country after all
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 100, Spring 2008
When it comes to good agricultural land, Australia is not a big country, in fact it is much better described as a smaller country scattered over a vast area.

Hot Gospel: good news for a planet in trouble.
Ian Barns
Zadok Paper S161, Winter 2008
The purpose of this paper is to outline a way of engaging theologically with the looming global sustainability crisis. Ian Barns reminds readers that serious concerns about sustainability were first raised in the 1960s. However, industrial development forged on, bringing new prosperity and opportunities to many, including millions in the developing world. He predicts we can expect a period of major technological, social, political and cultural transitions, and he outlines three broad kinds of possible transition scenarios, showing that 'business as usual' is not an option. He devotes the second half of his paper to a Christian response.

Eco-pilgrimage
Mick Pope
Zadok Perspectives 99, Winter 2008
Why can’t one experience God in nature in the backyard? Of course one can; the build environment is not often that which inspires a sense of transecendence or the creativity of God when all one can see is pigeons, mynahs, and fruit trees.

Be fruitful and multiply – not anymore
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 99, Winter 2008
The fundamental cause of the world’s environmental problems, and especially climate change, is that the human population is exceeding the earth’s carrying capacity.

A reflection on the history of deforestation in Palestine
Richard Gjisbers
Zadok Perspectives 97, Autumn 2008
Is there a ‘God’s way’ of using, conserving and preserving forests that would resolve much of the argument that surrounds humans’ relations to forests today?

We can’t do without the environment
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 97, Autumn 2008
In the light of a United Nations summit on climate change re-emphaising the need for urgent action on a global scale, Peter Crabb reviews David Lindenmayer’s latest book “On Borrowed Time: Australia’s Environmental Crisis and what we must do about it.”:

Dominion or Companionship?
Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 96, Spring 2007
There is no arguement that the natural world, at least parts of it, has an essential utilitarian function, to provide us with our material needs, especially food and shelter. But when the focus of concern is little more than God's material providence for human beings, we diminish our God and our faith.

An eye - and an ear - on the Earth
By Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 95, Winter 2007
Let's turn off the noise and let the sounds of silence and nature's own sweet music back into our lives and the world around us. We may be pleasantly surprised at what we hear. There is no doubt we will all benefit.

The consequences of nuclear power.
By Helen Caldicott
Zadok Perspectives 94, Autumn 2007
Australia is perfectly placed to be the real energy superpower - the instigator and global leader in renewable electricity production... this country could, with political will and vision, usher the world into a safe, carbon-free and nuclear free future.

The nuclear power question in Australia 2007
By Ian Hore-Lacy
Zadok Perspectives 94, Autumn 2007
Is nuclear power God's timely provision for this century? I would argue yes, especially in the context of addressing the needs of 6.5 billion people rather than just a few wealthier ones...

Renewing creation's energy.
By Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 94, Autumn 2007
Australia's electricity generation is over 80 percent dependant on coal-fired power stations. This has long been a source of relatively cheap power, but it is also a major source of pollution, especially carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Available alternative technologies exist NOW to make a major contribution to our electiricity sipplies; thier application requires the political will. The author identifies three Christian responses to the issue: 1. do all we can to end the virtual denial of the reality of climate change, 2. examine our own consumerism and waste, and 3. speak out about the seeming lack of integrity in decison-making processes that are disadvantageous to alternative energy sources..

An eye on the earth.
By Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives 93, Summer 2006
If we believe the world and all that is in it is God's creation - regardless of how it was created - then we should act, and encourage dicision makers to act accordingly.

This is our Father's World
By Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives, Spring 2006
Wherever we live, in whatever biogeographic region, and whatever we do, we should all engage in the caring and sustaining of God's creation.

No more turning away: discipleship and ecological responsibility
By Digby Hannah
Zadok Paper S146, Winter 2006
What is our view of the earth and what has this to do with our understanding of God? What is our experience of the earth, and what does that have to do with our experience of God? This paper is an attempt to reflect on these two sides of the coin of faith - knowledge and experience - and how these have shaped our approach to the earth. This paper was given at the Baptists Today Conference in August 2005.

Water: a crisis of management.
By Peter Crabb
Zadok Perspectives, Autumn 2006
When we pay the real cost of water, we will strop wasting so much!

Christ and the camera lens: a theology of wildlife documentation
Mick Pope
Zadok Paper S140 Spring 2005
In this essay "In on the kill" in A visit to Vanity Fair: Moral essays of the present age, Alan Jacobs puts forward the view that the violence of animal predation that features in many wildlife documentaries is wholly unsuitable for viewing. Mick Pope discusses how Christianity should feel about such things. Do we turn away in horror or look on in fascination? Are we disgusted or delighted, entertained or edified?

Climate Change
Mick Pope
Zadok Paper S140 Spring 2005
Current scientific information about climate change and global warming are presented, together with some of the implications for the Earth and society. In the light of the data about climate change as well as the environmental impact of development, the author concludes by asking whether we will learn from history and take steps corporately and individually to manage the resources of the earth.

Water - crisis or not?
Graham Dooley
Zadok Perspectives 88, Spring 2005
It is important to address the morality of having companies "profit" from life's most basic essential, as is the issue of whether a private company can be 'trusted' with responsibility for our water supply.

Peak Oil: A Christian response.
David Lankshear and Neil Cameron
Zadok Perspectives 88, Spring 2005
Discovery peaked in the 1960s and we are now consuming four barrels of oil energy for every barrel discovered.

The Environment and Exploitation.
Craig Morgan
Zadok Perspectives 75, Winter 2002
Because of links between environmental degradation and the plight of the world’s poor, the church must be a forerunner in debates about our environmental future.

Green and Mean.
Ian Hore-Lacy
Zadok Perspectives 75, Winter 2002
Who’s telling lies for the environment?

Towards an Environmental Ethics.
Paul Collins
Zadok Perspectives 65, Spring / Summer 1999/2000
Could the logging of old growth forests be a sin?

Two views on managing the earth's resources
Ian Hore-Lacy and Ian Barns
Zadok Paper S82, Winter 1996
This paper presents some possible ways of responding to the fact of God's creation and the notion of stewardship whereby all men and women are entrusted with care of the earth while enjoying God's abundant provision. (see longer abstract under `Science and Religion')

A Theological Perspective on Environmental Issues in the context of the Sustainable Development ethic
Ian Hore-Lacy
Zadok Paper S60, 1994
An argument for theocentric stewardship as a paradigm for sustainable development. Mining, agriculture and preservation can be Godly, but nature worship cannot.

Christians and the Environment: why bother?
James McPherson
Zadok Paper S61, 1994
McPherson calls upon Christians to arrive at an ecological vision which is built on thoughtful Christian faith rather than self-interest, communal concern, or a vague, semi-religious empathy with nature.

Hope and Despair: the human condition in environmental issues
Peter Newman
Zadok Paper S53, 1991
This paper considers the environmental issues which currently threaten the survival of our planet. Rather than leading his readers to despair the author proposes a theology of hope and a rationale for action at both global and local levels. Peter Newman is associate professor of Environmental Science at Murdoch University, Perth.

Sustainable Stewardship: a minerals industry perspective
Ian Hore-Lacy
Zadok Paper S48, 1990
Sustainable development in both ecological and economic respects is a matter of vital concern to everybody and contributes some of the most contentious issues to Australia's political agenda. Christians bring to bear a perspective arising from their understanding of the stewardship of God's creation. In this paper Ian Hore-Lacy, who has substantial experience in the mining industry, discusses some broader theological aspects of sustainable development, raises the question of waste as an associated ethical issue, and addresses aspects of the subject which are particularly relevant to the minerals industry.

Wilderness and Garden: biblical principles for a Christian view of the environment
John Harris
Zadok Paper G1 ,December 1989
This TEL study guide provides a set of Bible studies on the theme of the environment. It emphasises God as creator, God's relationship to the universe in general and the biological environment in particular, and the nature of the appropriate human response.

Theology under the Mushroom Cloud
Clive Harcourt-Norton
Zadok paper T20, 1984
This paper explores some fundamental theological issues raised by the potential for humanity to destroy the earth as a result of the development of nuclear weapons.

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