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At the Summit:
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Moved by the Spirit
Moved by the Spirit
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by Lyndsay Moseley
Most of the world’s major religious and spiritual traditions support the idea that humans should live in harmony with the natural world. This session focused on how two traditions may help counter environmentally destructive cultural forces. Cal DeWitt, founder and President of the Au Sable Institute, outlined the foundation for environmental stewardship from the Christian tradition, noting that John Muir himself could recite the entire New Testament from memory. Dewitt suggested that Christianity teaches humans to serve the land in activities of “reciprocal service.” He identified scriptural roots of three principles for Christian environmental stewardship: earthkeeping (or “guardening”) stewardship, fruitfulness of the earth, and Sabbath. Earthkeeping stewardship, according to DeWitt, is rooted in Genesis 2:15, where humans are called by God to “till and keep” the earth. Protecting the fruitfulness of the earth and its inhabitants emerges in the story of Noah and the flood, and the principle of Sabbath rest can be derived from the creation story as well as Jewish law. In a poignant moment, DeWitt invited participants to complete the phrase, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” and participants responded, “Praise him all you creatures here below.” Cassandra Carmichael, Eco-Justice Program Director for the National Council of Churches, built on DeWitt’s remarks, reflecting on lessons learned by watching her Great Dane/Labrador puppy, Jax. In the dog park, Jax plays rough with pups his own size, but lies on his back to play with smaller dogs, including a terrier named Martini. In observing Jax with Martini, Carmichael derives the lesson, “meet people where they are,” as a first step toward building a successful movement and advancing a vision of “green” worship spaces and environmentally healthy and just communities. Awareness of the principles of Christian environmental stewardship is growing, but the challenge remains of helping 250,000 congregations put these principles in action. Charmichael offered suggestions such as “focus on the task and delight in your work,” even when the task seems difficult or impossible (like fetching a snowball that disintegrates as soon as it lands). Vernon Masayesva of the Black Mesa Trust shared the wisdom of the Hopi. The essence of Hopi wisdom can be found in its name: Hopi means “peace.” According to Masayesva, “To be a Hopi means that you try to achieve three important principles: brotherhood, respect, and individual responsibility. We are all responsible for our actions and inaction.” The Hopi view water as a finite and sacred resource that has the power both to save and to destroy, and he urged humans to live within natural limits. Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina, Masayesva said, “We are witnessing the impact of water when it gets angry.” Hopi prophecy suggests that humans are now living in the “eleventh hour” of the world, where the frequency and intensity of floods and volcanoes will increase, resulting in great destruction. But Masayesva offered hope in the power of water to heal and motivate: “All of us have the power to change the world by putting our energy together, bonded through water.” -- 09/10/2005 Sat |
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