Update: I think it will be helpful if I actually say which book I am talking about. It is Serve God, Save the Planet by Matthew J Sleeth
I think it is an appropriate review for today, this being celebrated as Earth Day and all. One can hardly escape it. In the bus, on TV, in the paper, in my company website, in the EPA site, in google.
I think this book gets the distinction of being one non-fiction book that I read the fastest. It is a small book, and it is divided into small chapters. It is definitely an easy read. There are some aspects that I disagree with the author, but the thing that really got me is how he advocates a turn away from materialism. His emphasis is on how we can save the environment. Whether or not you believe in the larger question of saving the environment because of our longing for a new heaven and earth, this book is well worth your time.
There were two points he presents which really struck a chord with me. One is his emphasis about the continuous cycle of buying more. The more we buy, the more we cling to the things we buy. Dusting, cleaning, maintaining. And don't I know it well? Especially since owning a house. The other point he makes is to ask yourself if God would have you buy it. I am not saying that after I read the book, I sold my house and lived in a cave. But it did open my eyes and really helped my perspective. How even our tiny actions has such an impact on the environment and not just on others here in America, but all over the world.
We are making some lifestyle changes, but it is not very easy. I feel having lived in India for 23 years, it should come easy to me. But the truth is it is not. Having used a clothesline for 23 years, and a dryer for 5 years, one would think I can easily shift to air drying clothes. A dryer, dishwasher, car are all luxuries that I got used to which is now very difficult to unlearn.
One example he gives is great. We use a power mower for mowing grass which releases all these emissions to the atmosphere and then we pay money to go to a gym in a car which releases more emissions and then use machines (which use electricity, hence more energy usage) to exercise.
A wonderful read albeit some points which gave me a slight pause. I got to warn you that if you are QF lifestyle family/individual you will not like the chapter on population fallout. Just a friendly warning.
I give the book a 9.0/10
Coming Later- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
6 comments:
Did I miss the title of this book somewhere? You did mention it in a previous post. :b
Sounds like an interesting read. This is an issue that I've been pondering. Indeed, you can hardly escape it -- 'tis so fashionable these days! I do understand the current emphasis though -- if I wasn't a Christian, the environmental issues would scare me to death. :) But since I am a Christian and believe that my (and others') hope is in Christ, not in perpetuating a sin-ridden world, it is less of an issue to me.
Knowing that this old earth is going to melt someday gives me the freedom to be wise and careful but still place a higher priority on things like testimony for Christ. Obviously, we'll each answer this higher priority differently -- the point is just to make sure we have the right priority.
I'm still personally feeling through the issue, trying to decide how to best answer the higher priority. Given that most of the information out there is from people that don't share my highest priorities, it is even more difficult to sort. :) I do want to be a good steward. But I don't want to be so consumed by that stewardship that I miss the Person and people I'm here to serve.
Plus, the environment is far from the only thing I have stewardship of. For one nitty gritty example that I've been working through: is local, organic food good stewardship? Yes from the environmental aspect, but what about time and money? Will I get to heaven and wish I'd put less chemicals in the body I no longer have or wish that I'd put more time and money into spreading the gospel? (Note to self: this argument only works if you actually do put the extra time and money into spreading the gospel...)
Just some raw, unprocessed thoughts. Raw & unprocessed -- sounds like something the environmentalists would be happy about. :)
It is amazing at how much "energy" we use when you stop to think about it. OF course, it some aspects, it is the price we pay for modern conveniences and advanced technology. In other ways, we can be better stewards.
I am still working on the scheduling thing but hoping maybe that Saturday morning I can maybe swing down closer your way to meet you guys! :)
Lizzy, I have been thinking a lot about it too. My thoughts are as yet kind of incoherent, so that is why I never posted about it. Once I have my thoughts in order, I might post. I usually just don't have that much time. :D Although written from a broad Christian perspective, I don't know the author's theology, but we are all adults here, so I hope all will be discerning in their reading.
USA,
That would be great! Let me know if it will work out, and I will send you the address.
Sounds interesting, except I missed the title too. I'll go back and dig for it. No worries.
Thanks for the review. This book has been on my Amazon wish list for a while. (I wish my library would just hurry up and order a copy!)
Another book you might like, which deals with the materialistic side of things is Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. It's a fast read, and it really makes you think.
On a somewhat related note, you asked on my blog about air-drying my clothes. I've always done it indoors, and nothing smells musty. I do fluff everything in the dryer with a 1/4 of a dryer sheet. I just set it on Air for about 10-15 minutes. I don't know how well things would dry in your climate, though, as your area is far more humid than mine.
Hi, my name is Dustin and I work with a Christian environmental organization called Christians in Conservation: A Rocha USA. I saw your post about the book "Serve God, Save the Planet", and I thought that you might like to know that our organization sponsors its author, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, as a "creation care evangelist." We would love for you to check us out at our website, en.arocha.org/usa. You might also be interested in the website for Dr. Sleeth's book, www.servegodsavetheplanet.org.
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