Through Ecological Eyes – Reflections on Christianity’s Environmental Credentials
Robert Barry Leal
St Paul’s Publications 2006

Water shortages, salinity, biodiversity, climate change … these are all constant phrases in the news, but what links can be made between our Christian faith, the biblical witness, and the environmental crises we hear of day by day?

Jesus gives no sermon on biodiversity and Paul makes no comment on what the church should do about climate change. But in Through Ecological Eyes, Barry Leal takes his readers calmly and clearly through various aspects of our environment — from water to fire, animals, plants and ecology — drawing forth the scriptural references and explaining what some of the implications of the biblical witness might be for Christians as they consider environmental issues.

Through Ecological Eyes is a series of 29 reflections on the biblical story and the environment, grouped into related topics.

It doesn’t assume specialised biblical knowledge — nor does it assume the reader is a trained ecologist. It is thus easily accessible to anyone interested in how our faith might shape and inform our relationship with the world in which we live — the world that God created and pronounced “good”.

Biblically and ecologically trained readers will also gain new insights into the biblical text and God’s creation.

From Genesis and Psalms to the parables of Jesus and the letters of Paul, Through Ecological Eyes reminds the reader that, far from being spiritual and above earthly things, the scriptures are firmly rooted in God’s created world and images of the natural world abound — from the waters of creation and baptism, through the agricultural parables of Jesus, to the wind and fire of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.

Leal brings together a broad biblical knowledge and a keen and passionate concern for the earth.

His reflections on scripture reminded me that God is revealed in the everyday world. And that it is a mistake (unfortunately all too common) to separate the “spiritual” from the ordinary, everyday processes which give us air to breathe, water to drink, and the earth and fire that drive and nourish the environment which, in turn, nurtures and sustains us day by day.

Through Ecological Eyes is a well-written, easy-to-read book which will make you think again about how God calls us to be in relation to the world in which we live. It will not give you the answers to today’s environmental problems — but then it doesn’t seek to. What it will do is challenge you to re-evaluate how you live in relation to the world that God created, and what true “reverence for life” might mean.

The Rev. Mathew Wilson