Biblical prophets and contemporary environmental ethics : Re-Reading Amos, Hosea and First Isaiah / Hilary Marlow.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Marlow, Hilary.

Contributor:

Barton, John, 1931-2016.

Louis A. Duhring Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environmental protection--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Environmental protection.

Environmental ethics--Biblical teaching.

Environmental ethics.

Biblical teaching.

Physical Description:

xvi, 338 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, [2009]

Summary:

In the context of growing concern over climate change and other environmental pressures, Biblical Prophets and Contemporary Environmental Ethics explores what an ecological reading of the biblical text can contribute to contemporary environmental ethics. The Judeo-Christian tradition has been held partly to blame for a negative attitude to creation - one that has legitimised the exploitative use of the earth's resources. Hilary F. Marlow explores some of the thinking in the history of the Christian tradition that has contributed to such a perception, before discussing a number of approaches to reading the Old Testament from an ecological perspective.

Through a detailed exegetical study of the texts of the biblical prophets Amos, Hosea and First Isaiah, Marlow examines the portrayal of the relationship between YHWH the God of Israel, humanity and the non-human creation. In the course of this exegesis, searching questions emerge: what are the various understandings of the non-human creation that are present in the text? What assumptions are made about YHWH's relationship to the created world and how he acts within it? And what effect do the actions and choices of human beings have on the created world?

Following this close textual study, Marlow examines the problem of deriving ethical norms from the biblical text and discusses some key ethical debates in contemporary environmental theory. The book explores the potential contribution of the biblical exegesis to such debates and concludes by proposing an interrelational model for reading the Old Testament prophets in the light of contemporary environmental ethics.

With a foreword by John Barton, Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Creation in Church History 11

Christianity: The root of the problem? 11

Theological Perspectives on Creation 18

The Early Church 22

Contrasting Perspectives in the Middle Ages 37

The Marginalization of Creation Theology in Reformation Thought 45

Domination not Dominion 50

2 Nature versus History: An Artificial Divide? 52

The Growth of Modern Science 52

Rise of Romanticism 56

Biblical Exegesis in the Twentieth Century 57

Focus on Salvation History (Heilsgeschichte) 60

Rediscovering Creation Theology 70

3 Ecological Hermeneutics: Meaning and Method 81

Introduction 81

Eco-theologies 82

The Development of Ecological Hermeneutics 84

Is there an Ancient Israelite World View? 95

Ordering the World: Some Alternative Proposals 101

The Relation between Human and Non-Human Creation 107

An Ecological Framework for Exploring the Texts 109

Creation Themes in the Prophets 115

4 Who Can But Prophesy? Creation Dialogue in the Book of Amos 120

Introduction 120

Figurative Language in the Old Testament 121

Metaphor in Amos 125

Rhetorical Structure of Amos 129

God Speaks and Earth Responds 133

Cooperating with YHWH 137

The Creation Hymns 139

The Earth as a Means of Judgement 146

The Voice of the People 153

The Hope of Restoration 155

Summary 157

5 The People Do Not Know: Covenantal Failure in the Book of Hosea 158

Introduction 158

Figurative Language in Hosea 159

Relational Imagery in Hosea 166

Hosea 2 166

Hosea 4 182

Summary 194

6 The Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts: YHWH, the People and the Land in Isaiah 1-39 195

Introduction 195

Cosmic Upheaval in Isaiah 1-39 197

Isaiah 24 200

The Language and Imagery of Flora and Fauna in Isaiah 1-39 205

Appeal to the Natural Order-Isa. 1:2-3 and 28:23-9 206

The Vineyard Parables 214

The Physical Environment and YHWH's Judgement and Blessing 225

Isaiah 34 and Desolation of the City 227

Isaiah 35 and Other Restoration Texts 234

Isaiah 11:1-10 238

Summary 242

7 The Old Testament Prophets and Environmental Ethics: A Dialogue 244

Introduction 244

Using the Bible in Ethics 245

Environmental Ethics 252

Ethical Theories 254

Ascribing Value 258

Environmental Ethics and the Biblical Texts 261

Key Issues for the Texts 264

Environmental Ethics and the Old Testament 273.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Louis A. Duhring Fund.

ISBN:

9780199569052

0199569053

OCLC:

430497049

Publisher Number:

99936401264