'The Green Bible' |
Just in case the time-honored Holy Bible isn't eco-friendly enough for environmentalists, one publisher has released "The Green Bible" so Christians may understand its "powerful message for the earth" – in green, soy-based ink.
The book, made from 10 percent recycled paper and a cotton-linen cover, features passages about caring for the earth highlighted in green. It is endorsed by The Human Society, the Sierra Club and the Eco-Justice Program. Its website claims it will "equip and encourage people to see God's vision for creation and help them engage in the work of healing and sustaining it."
The Bible's "powerful message for the earth" is evident, HarperCollins declares in its promotion. It contains 1,000 references to Earth – compared with only 530 references to love and 490 to heaven.
"The Green Bible" uses the New Revised Standard Version and includes supplementary writings by St. Francis of Assisi, Pope John Paul II, Desmond Tutu and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright. A number of the works mention the Genesis verse in which God gives man "dominion" over the Earth as proof of His requirement that inhabitants be "stewards" of it.
HarperCollins has printed more than 37,000 copies – and the first 25,000 sold within weeks.
Mark Tauber, president of HarperOne, told the Arizona Republic the company launched the project after noticing widespread interest in the Creation Care movement.
"We were hoping that it would absolutely create debate and discussion," Tauber said. "Controversy is a good thing, although we haven't so far had a lot of people say: 'This is wrong. How can (you) do this?' "
While supporters of the book hope it will persuade Christians to embrace environmental causes, a Pew Foundation study recently revealed that as many as 54 percent of evangelicals say "stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost," according to Time magazine. A full 63 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 reportedly agreed. The movement, or Creation Care, is said to be gaining momentum among Christian groups.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported that 70 percent of evangelicals believe there is unyielding proof that the Earth is getting warmer. Many Christian colleges are embracing the movement and have announced a youth-based Creation Care network.
However, critics say the book is not about spreading the word of God, and that it is about environmental indoctrination.
"I am concerned that many who call themselves Christians, or intend to speak for Christianity, don't interpret the Bible literally," James Taylor, a founding elder and Sunday-school teacher at Living Water Christian Fellowship, told the Arizona Republic. "These groups don't have a religious focus; they have a desire to spread their environmental message."
Readers are also provided with a study guide which tells them "to find an actual stone or other memento from nature so that by the time they finish the study guide they will have created a small memorial to mark their journey."