Resources compiled by WCIU Reference Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read Moreby Gustave Gaye
English Abstract:
Since the effects of climate change have been weighing on the populations in the north of the Benue basin, there have been social and economic transformations in the way of life and production activities of the populations affected by the ecological crises' effects North Cameroon. The Benue basin, which tends to be the refuge of men and wildlife species due to the permanent presence of water along the river and a relatively productive land, now appears to be the nerve center of economic activities in this territory while inducing recent conflicts over available natural resources. The competition for access and control of these resources is real both among humans and between humans and animals, feeling threatened in their biotope. This article primarily reports the vulnerability of populations and socio-economic transformations in that area due to ecological crises. In a second step, this reflection analyses the strategies of resilience in farming communities' livelihoods, leading to the highlighting of the existing potential within the territory. The scientific approach consisted in mobilizing the social sciences methodological tool, based on an interdisciplinary analysis, reconciling theoretical and empirical knowledge to present the socio-economic facts highlighted above. This reflection teaches us that, despite ecological threats, communities adapt and face this natural adversity from their ingenuity.
Read MoreResources compiled by WCIU Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read MoreResources compiled by WCIU Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read MoreResources compiled by WCIU Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read MoreResources compiled by WCIU Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read Moreby Howard A. Snyder
Since the story of salvation in the Bible is the story of God, God’s people, and God’s land, one would expect that every one of God’s commands would have something to do with land, directly or indirectly.
Read Moreby Howard A. Snyder
Mission that does not take God’s covenant with the earth seriously and strategically is not holistic, integral, or really faithful. If it doesn’t include the land, it’s not the whole gospel.
Earth-conscious mission has always been an urgent priority. It is even more so now, due to the destructive effects of climate change, the poisoning of the oceans, extinction of species, declining biodiversity, growing pollution from plastics (like plastic bottles and Styrofoam), lack of support for environmentally-conscious political leaders, and failure of Christians and other humans to recycle in all the ways possible.
Read MoreResources compiled by WCIU Librarian, Timothy Skinner, MLS
Read Moreby Greg Boyd
Seeing the world as caught in warfare even at the level of creation, reframes the world in ways that have a practical impact on how we live our lives in kingdom mission. Anything we do to reflect God’s ideal for creation is a form of spiritual warfare. In fact, every positive thing we do for the earth (including recycling!) is a form of spiritual warfare. Many evangelical Christians may see this as a “liberal” agenda, but care for creation was our first command: “Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Gen. 1:28).
Read MoreReviewed by Yalin Xin
“Poverty comes under added scrutiny with the environmental crisis. Wherever there is poverty it is directly or indirectly linked to the perversion of justice …”
Read Moreby Tom Steffen
This article presents a biblical meta-narrative that underpins the business principles advocated by the author. The principles include attention to caring for creation and the environment.
Read Moreby Beth Snodderly
Evangelical Christian presence in U.S. society is giving God a bad reputation. American evangelicals, who ignore or even mock the warning signs of global warming and environmental pollution, are doing exactly the opposite of what God’s people should be doing to demonstrate the character and glory of God to a secular world. If we represent God as being uncaring and unconcerned about his creation, many people will not want to know that kind of God.
Read Moreby Beth Snodderly
After the Messiah came, and dealt with the heaped up sin of the world, thus “destroying,” or “undoing” the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), creation was still left groaning under the burden of what Satan had done to it. Just as God subjected the people of Israel to the frustration of knowing what is right (through the Law) and not being able to fulfill it, so creation has been subjected to the frustration of “knowing” what it is meant to be and not being able to be that. God’s children need to to do what they were originally created to do: to act as stewards of the earth by undoing the effects of the curse and frustration of creation and liberating it from Satan’s dominion (Genesis 1:26).
Read Moreby Joel Hamme
This article concentrates on the narrative of Genesis, especially chapters 1-2, and to a certain extent, the early portions of the Abraham narrative (12-19). It takes a canonical approach, in which the passages are in dialogue with each other and help to paint a picture of what the image of God is, and what it means to live effectively as God’s image.
Read MoreResources compiled by Timothy L. Skinner
Read Moreby Beth Snodderly
As a description of the consequences of opposition to God’s ways, the figure of speech, tohu wabohu, also contains within itself the solution to addressing the root problem behind the chaos and desolation. Believers have the privilege of allowing God’s Spirit to work through them to demonstrate God’s glory, by bringing order out of chaos, and by overcoming evil with good.
Read Moreby Beth Snodderly
he account in Genesis 1 of God’s making the land helped the people of Israel see themselves as a community of the people of God, about to inherit a land made for them by God. The author of the creation passage certainly knew how to get his readers’ and listeners’ attention. The grammar of Genesis 1:2 places a strong emphasis on “the land” by placing the noun before the verb, which is not usual in Hebrew: we’ha’eretz hayeta, “now the earth was ...”. Allen Ross asks, “Why did the new nation of Israel need to have this material and to have it written as it is?”
Read Moreby Kenton Moody
This post is some thoughts reflecting on care for the environment of El Salvador and further reflecting on a celebration of the 4th of July earlier this month. Kenton is a PhD student at WCIU serving the poor in Western El Salvador. His focus has been in areas of extreme poverty and gang conflict helping children and youth at risk through education, social intervention, and spiritual transformation. He has founded the Open Door Church, Hosanna School, and the Center of Hope, all operating in Santa Ana.
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