Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says about the Environment and Why It Matters
Authors: Richter Sandra L. 
Published: November 2022

STEWARDS OF EDEN: What Scripture Says about the Environment and Why It Matters by Sandra L. Richter. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2020. 168 pages. Paperback; $22.00. ISBN: 9780830849260. *As an ecologist, I have read many articles and books about creation care over the last few decades. Some of these were written by scientists, some by theologians, and some by philosophers. As a result, I wondered what new perspectives Sandra Richter, a noted Hebrew Bible scholar, might offer in her recent, and highly praised, book, Stewards of Eden. *Creation care is a topic near and dear to my heart. However, teaching at a Christian liberal arts college in the Midwest, it is often challenging to encourage evangelical students to transcend their preconceived notions about environmental stewardship. They often think that it's not something that Christians should worry about. Many believe that it's strictly an area of concern for secular liberals. Would Richter's book be helpful? Could her words connect with some of the students that I struggle to reach? *A quick glance at some of the chapter topics, such as "The Domestic Creatures Entrusted to 'ƒÅdƒÅm," "The Wild Creatures Entrusted to 'ƒÅdƒÅm," and "Environmental Terrorism," piqued my interest. These aren't topics typically addressed as entire chapters in similar books. There was an absence of chapters specifically detailing different forms of environmental degradation, the history of the environmental movement, and Christian motivations for creation care. Richter does touch upon these topics, but her organization and focus is distinctly different from other texts. *The lion's share of Stewards of Eden is a deep dive into the Hebrew Bible, specifically the Torah, shining light on our Creator's covenant with and expectations of his people. Richter begins at the beginning, with Genesis as a "blueprint for creation," establishing identities, relationships, and responsibilities. She describes how the rebellion of "God's chosen stewards has consigned all under their authority to frustration and death." This sets the stage for the establishment of Yahweh's law, which gives life to those who obey. *As we, predominantly nonagrarian people, live out our lives, it is tempting to skim over the aspects of the law recorded in the Torah that are devoted to care for the land and animals, and often even care for the poor. However, Richter brings these subjects into sharp focus in the several chapters of her book. In particular, Deuteronomy and Leviticus are used to show the reader that proper care for creation was an important aspect of the law given to the Israelites. Neglect or misuse of the land and its human and nonhuman inhabitants brought judgment and hardship. *Using modern case studies, Richter shows that, by extension, the same principles are in operation today. For example, she contrasts modern factory farming of animals with care of domestic beasts prescribed by Yahweh's law. The Old Testament laws specified "a Sabbath's rest, a share of the harvest, humane treatment," and "slaughter with dignity and compassion" for domestic animals. Failure to follow a modern-day equivalency of these laws results in not only dreadful "living" conditions for the animals, but concentrations of animal wastes that pollute our water, antibiotic resistant microbes, and the inability for small family farms to remain economically viable. *As a scholar of the ancient Near East, Richter also brings interesting historical perspectives into the narrative. During times of warfare, invading armies often killed wildlife, razed vineyards, and cut down fruit trees. These tactics terrorized and demoralized the local population, as they negatively impacted the land's ability to support its inhabitants for generations. The Israelites were specifically instructed not to employ these strategies, even if it would bring short-term gain. Again, using modern examples, she makes a case that Yahweh's life-giving laws against wanton environmental destruction, even for national security, still have relevance. *Although her strengths are most apparent in chapters focused on the Old Testament, Richter rounds out her book with a discussion of the hope realized in the redeeming work of Christ, work that extends to all of creation. This good news comforts us as we groan in anticipation for the day of the Lord. I appreciate the amount of space she dedicates to the discussion of nature in apocalyptic literature, as a counterpoint to the belief that the good creation will be reduced to a pile of ash by its Creator. Continued care of creation while we yearn for restoration is part of our calling. This good news should inspire us to action. *In Stewards of Eden, Richter aptly uses her expertise to support the thesis that "scripture speaks to this topic [environmental stewardship] repeatedly and systematically" and that it is "not alien or peripheral to the message of the gospel." There is a lot in this slim volume. Richter is specific and carefully references her statements, but she leaves enough narrative "space" that the lay reader will remain engaged. Her appendix and notes are helpful for those wanting to take action and/or learn more. *As a person already interested in this topic, I found her ability to link modern environmental concerns to ancient Hebrew law fascinating, and I am inspired to explore further. Those interested in the intersection of scripture and creation care should consider adding Stewards of Eden to their libraries. For those unfamiliar with or resistant to considering creation care as part of our Christian calling, it may be most fruitful to explore this book, with its end-of-chapter questions, in discussion groups. *Reviewed by Laurie Furlong, Professor of Biology, Northwestern College, Orange City, IA 51041.