Book Review – The emerging Christian Way – Part 6
Consider the Lilies of the Field: How Should Christians Love Nature? – by Sallie McFague
In the previous chapter of this book, The Great Work, by Thomas Berry, I felt that the author offered a moving call for Creation, but lacked the defining Christian theology to inform that call. Not so with Sallie McFague’s challenging and robust contribution to the book. In a call for Christian to love nature (but never worship it), Mcfague roots her convictions in the Incarnation, in the Physical and earthly realities central to God as Man- Jesus.
While the sacramental approach is affirmed by McFague, she argues convincingly about how this can still be largely selfish- nature as a means to an end. This is a very important observation, one which we all need to keep in mind. However, I would not go so far as to say that sacramental ecology is intrinsically or inevitably self-seving. That being said, she goes on to suggest another way, one of consideration. We need to truly “pay attention” to Creation- careful, detailed attention to the “others” all around us.
Throughout the chapter, McFague draws cutting parallels between the mistreatment of nature and women throughout history. While some might be uncomfortable accepting this feminist critique, I believe that she is not only fair, but through it, offers stunning insight into both the way forward for Christians in regards to both nature and gender. It is clear that McFague brings a depth, grace and generousity to both issues that resist any shallow stereotypes.
Moving beyond the scientist paradigm, we are called to a far more personal, looking to the small, the particular in nature. The common use of the image of earth from space as a symbol for appreciating Creation reflects an arrogant, “godlike” view. Rather, we need to observe Creation by appreciating the very real “otherness” of the small manifestations of life. It does not deny the larger view, but rather roots our relationship to Creation in the particular.
In perhaps the most stunning insight, McFague challenges this positional issue through an epistemological reflection of Subject-Object. Typically, we view Creation as the Object, with outselves as the observing Subject. In truth, this often extends to our perception of other people. Rather, again drawing from the feminist critique, we need to embrace a Subject-Subjects view, one of friendship. The relational dynamic transforms the nature and perspective of our interaction to Creation in powerful ways. The implication of this insight has dramatic possibilities for our relationship to God as well (but that is for a future post).
In the end, I found myself moved by the poetry of her vision, humbled by the grace of her critique and excited by the Christian theology deeply informing the ideas. So far, this chapter has been the best I have read so far. I put down the chapter with a deep longing to explore the vaulted cathedrals of Creation, a blessed discipline I have let slip over the past years. I would have suggested that this chapter is worth the purchase of the book, but as this chapter was also an excerpt of a previous publication, you might want to get the original (“Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature”, Fortress Press, 1997).
