by William Greenway
Eerdmans
Grand Rapids, Mich. 176 pages
William Greenway has written the most unique and compelling account of God’s love for all creation found in the early chapters of Genesis. This is what one friendly critic described as “animal theology” and it is long overdue. One can gratefully add Greenway’s voice to that of Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, Terry Tempest Williams and Bill McKibben as he lifts up seldom-recognized themes in Genesis that will stir readers to greater respect for God’s creation. A philosophical theologian, he writes, “I have been awakened by the Flood and seven-days-of-Creation narratives. I have found that they testify to an overwhelming, humbling, awe at the fragility and preciousness of each life. They look at the harsh realities of human existence. … So I turn to them for spiritual wisdom.” He addresses the argument over dominion versus domination with careful insight.
There are many things that are important about this groundbreaking book; one of them is the theological attention given to the realities of human and animal suffering in a good creation. Greenway also helpfully contrasts the Genesis account of creation with that of philosopher Thomas Hobbes’ “Leviathan.” Christians are not always known as lovers of the earth nor is God’s love for all creatures fully embraced. Greenway shows us a better way.
