Deuteronomy Essay
Deuteronomy (Dt) was written as an attempt to respond to complications arising from changes the Israelites were undergoing. The goal of this new law is to shape the future by rectifying the attitude of its readers/listeners and it is today more relevant as a starting point for a response to a “groaning” creation.
Dt 20:19-20 calls upon us not destroy the environment which is a precious gift from God. Moses instructs the people of Israel not to destroy trees by cutting them down. According to Jewish interpreters, this commandment extends to cover all forms of wasteful destruction like breaking utensils, tearing clothes, demolishing buildings or wasting food. How do the commentators justify the emphasis on wasteful destruction and prohibition …show more content…
They attempt to respond to the concern of why one should not cut down a tree. Just as the book of Dt was for the Israelites, so it is a tool for reforming the present day society (Dt 1:13). We observe that instead of protecting the environment, human beings are busy hurting mother earth which calls for a humanitarian and ecological concern. Ignatian spirituality explains a new way of looking at creation. In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, instead of human beings viewing creation as things to be used, they are called to establish a relationship with them for God dwells in creatures; in plants, giving them life (Sp.Ex. …show more content…
A rubber shoe is an end product of a manufacturing process that involves God as the creator of the plant that yields latex that is used for making rubber. It also involves the energy and self-giving of workers. If one sees shoes just as items to be used, regardless of the aforementioned complexity, carelessness grows that leads to wasteful destruction. Wasteful destruction of rubber shoes, moreover, leads to an increase in harvesting of latex and eventual destruction of the environment.
The planet is suffering, take an example of Africa, the continent faces environmental crisis. Rapid deforestation is leading to land degradation, pollution, climate change, and the loss of bio-diversity. This threatens the future of the people of Africa. In other words, an impoverished land is leading to impoverished people. In this case poverty is linked inextricably to the environment and action to protect and care for the environment must be taken. If not, the poison of poverty will continue to plague the continent.
We can use Dt 20:19-20 as a starting point in our mission to pursue a God-centred response to the environmental crisis in Africa which brings glory to the Creator and leads to a transformation of the people and the land which sustains them. Transforming and healing the landscapes of Africa begins with transforming the hearts and minds of
Dt 20:19-20 calls upon us not destroy the environment which is a precious gift from God. Moses instructs the people of Israel not to destroy trees by cutting them down. According to Jewish interpreters, this commandment extends to cover all forms of wasteful destruction like breaking utensils, tearing clothes, demolishing buildings or wasting food. How do the commentators justify the emphasis on wasteful destruction and prohibition …show more content…
They attempt to respond to the concern of why one should not cut down a tree. Just as the book of Dt was for the Israelites, so it is a tool for reforming the present day society (Dt 1:13). We observe that instead of protecting the environment, human beings are busy hurting mother earth which calls for a humanitarian and ecological concern. Ignatian spirituality explains a new way of looking at creation. In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, instead of human beings viewing creation as things to be used, they are called to establish a relationship with them for God dwells in creatures; in plants, giving them life (Sp.Ex. …show more content…
A rubber shoe is an end product of a manufacturing process that involves God as the creator of the plant that yields latex that is used for making rubber. It also involves the energy and self-giving of workers. If one sees shoes just as items to be used, regardless of the aforementioned complexity, carelessness grows that leads to wasteful destruction. Wasteful destruction of rubber shoes, moreover, leads to an increase in harvesting of latex and eventual destruction of the environment.
The planet is suffering, take an example of Africa, the continent faces environmental crisis. Rapid deforestation is leading to land degradation, pollution, climate change, and the loss of bio-diversity. This threatens the future of the people of Africa. In other words, an impoverished land is leading to impoverished people. In this case poverty is linked inextricably to the environment and action to protect and care for the environment must be taken. If not, the poison of poverty will continue to plague the continent.
We can use Dt 20:19-20 as a starting point in our mission to pursue a God-centred response to the environmental crisis in Africa which brings glory to the Creator and leads to a transformation of the people and the land which sustains them. Transforming and healing the landscapes of Africa begins with transforming the hearts and minds of