Genesis 1, "dominion," and caring for the earth
Peter Sawtell of EcoJustice Ministries has provided a new
resource for preaching on Genesis 1, just in time for its appearance in the
lectionary for Trinity Sunday, May 22. [4-26-05]
From Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice
Ministries:
Eco-Justice Ministries is pleased to announce a significant new resource for
"Preaching on Genesis 1" that is now available on our website (http://www.eco-justice.org/Gen1-Index.asp).
In about a month, the Revised Common Lectionary has two
beautiful and much-loved readings for Trinity Sunday -- the creation story
from Genesis 1, and Psalm 8. Those two passages are the only places in the
Bible that speak of humanity's dominion over the natural world.
For those of us committed in environmental stewardship and
ecological relationships, those are difficult texts. The resources on our
website are designed to help clergy discern the core meaning of the Genesis
1 story, and to share that message with their congregations in ways that
affirm an eco-justice perspective.
The materials that are now available:
 | provide several layers of detailed studies on the Genesis 1 story
|
| offer multiple suggestions for ways to preach on the text (especially
in relation to the Trinity Sunday occasion), and |
| have four extended quotations from theologians to provide more depth
on specific topics related to the text. |
While these materials were developed specifically to help
ministers prepare for worship, they may also be quite interesting to others
who have wondered how to deal with those biblical commands to "subdue the
earth" and "have dominion".
These resources are drawn from a wonderful set of
workshops with Denver-area clergy that we've conducted through the past few
weeks. The workshop participants all found this material on Genesis 1 to be
very helpful -- both in preparation for their May 22 worship, and in
reflecting on the richness of our Biblical faith.
I hope you'll take a look at these resources (especially
those of you who are clergy and who will be preaching on May 22), and/or
spread the word to others who may be interested in this information.
Shalom!
Peter Sawtell
Executive Director, Eco-Justice Ministries
400 S Williams St, Denver, CO 80209
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