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 PrintableVersion When enough is enoughA Christian framework for environmental sustainabilitySustainable or unsustainable?WHEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ‘Enough is enough!’ is both the title and the message of a set of conference papers edited by Sam Berry. ‘Creation care is not an option for zealots; it is an integral part of our obedience to Christ and our witness to the world’ (p.34). It is passing strange that such a statement should be necessary, but it is. Hence the title. The title is also a reference to what lies at the heart of sustainability — taking what we need, and no more. ‘We possess the things that God has committed to our hands on the condition that being content with a frugal and moderate use of them, we should take care of what shall remain’ (p.17). Thus speaks that well-known eco-warrior, John Calvin. The intention of this book is to survey our responsibilities in God’s creation (p.13). So it is not a how-to manual, but a stimulus to thought, investigation, concern, action and prayer. A dozen authors make their contributions, including Sir John Houghton (climate) and Sir Ghillean Prance (botany). In particular, there is a superb piece on sustainable economics by Donald Hay. The quality varies, as is inevitable with conference proceedings. There are some theological howlers and some inconsistencies between papers. These do not significantly detract from the book, because its point is to make us think, and this it does very well. The book is valuable in two ways. First, it (inadvertently?) provides a snapshot of what interested Christians think about green issues. Second, it yields rich seams to mine for insights and ideas. Packing so many short contributions together into one volume proves very effective. Raw materialsSo this book is particularly suitable for Christians who want to develop their green concerns. Contrary to the subtitle, it does not provide a ‘Christian framework for sustainability’ — it is not sufficiently coherent. But it does provide many of the raw materials we need to build such a framework. Examples include: a review of Christian thinking on green issues (p.11); a debunking of Lomborg (p.24); the case for Christianity being the natural home of ‘sustainability’ (p.41); the case against the Limits to Growth school (p.111); why ‘leaving it to the market’ is unsatisfactory (p.123); how excessive production is as damaging as excessive consumption (p.134); the scale of British wastefulness, as shown by the WEEE Man (p.161); instances of good stewardship in the Amazon (p.75) and Zambia (p.130). There is a great opportunity for the Christian church to show her true colours. This book documents how the world is in danger of destroying itself, and the biggest obstacle to sustainability is selfishness. Many people are eager to become sustainable, but only if there is no significant cost incurred. Green is good, provided it does not touch our pockets or our lifestyles. But if Calvin is right, then we have no choice. We must be just towards our neighbours, and we must take good care of what has been leased to us. If that means fewer foreign holidays, or paying higher (just) wages to those who pick our coffee beans and stitch our jeans, then so be it. Only Christians have the Spirit to transform our selfishness. Only Christians have the hope of the world to come with which to fortify themselves to make sacrifices now. Such is the self-denying way of the cross. Sam Berry’s epilogue recalls the response Paul received in Athens: some mocked, others believed. The Word of God always has this dividing effect. We may think that we judge it, but in reality it judges us (John 12.48). Not an optionThis collection of papers exposes us to the truth about God, his world, and his demands upon us, which are costly. We know how the Athenians responded to such truths. ‘Where, oh reader, do you stand? … Creation care is not an option for some: it is a task and privilege laid on all of us. Do we scoff? Or want to hear more? Or are we convinced?’ (pp.178,181). What is the final response of British Christians to such appeals to their consciences? Dr. Tim Mitchell,
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