Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible [Paperback]

Ellen F. Davis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521732239 | ISBN-13: 978-0521732239 | Publication Date: October 13, 2008 | Edition: 1

This book examines the theology and ethics of land use, especially the practices of modern industrialized agriculture, in light of critical biblical exegesis. Nine interrelated essays explore the biblical writers' pervasive concern for the care of arable land against the background of the geography, social structures, and religious thought of ancient Israel. This approach consistently brings out neglected aspects of texts, both poetry and prose, that are central to Jewish and Christian traditions. Rather than seeking solutions from the past, Davis creates a conversation between ancient texts and contemporary agrarian writers; thus she provides a fresh perspective from which to view the destructive practices and assumptions that now dominate the global food economy. The biblical exegesis is wide-ranging and sophisticated; the language is literate and accessible to a broad audience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The biblical writers were familiar with disputes over land use and land care, and the economics of food production were critical to their perspective. Reading the Bible from this perspective opens up dialogue with contemporary agrarians like Wendell Berry, who wrote the foreword for this book. However far from the land we may live, issues of stewardship, care and justice remain crucial. Davis argues that the Bible provides 'vision and principle' for land use in our time." --Christian Century

"Davis writes eloquently about biblical texts on agriculture, looking for insight into 'the material sources of life.' To disregard the environment, food production and treatment of animals in scripture is to miss reflection on essential aspects of life in the presence of God." --Christian Century (Take & Read)

"This is a lucid, wide-ranging, and thought provoking book that should be read by everyone in biblical studies, and should be assigned as a textbook in courses on biblical methods, Torah, prophets, and ecological hermeneutics." --The Biblical & Critical Theory

Book Description

This book examines the theology and ethics of land use through critical biblical exegesis. It explores the biblical writers' pervasive concern for the care of arable land as a central religious obligation. Davis creates a conversation between ancient texts and contemporary agrarian writers, providing a fresh theological perspective on a contemporary problem.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (October 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521732239
• ISBN-13: 978-0521732239
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Roots and Modern Flowers, November 12, 2008

By 

David Vandiver (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible (Paperback)

Ellen Davis has done with scripture what Barbara Kingsolver and Michael Pollan have done with our current food supply-- she has exposed the ancient roots that support small farms and intimacy with the land as the most secure foundation for a stable society and sustainable earth.
The book, though somewhat technical in its Biblical scholarship, is interspersed with excerpts from modern writers and researchers (primarily Wendell Berry) in ways that illustrate the rich Biblical work, making it accessible for most any reader with a good foundation in Bible study. It would be excellent as a group study, and could be paired with one of the writers above or other current books on the subjects of food security and land use ethics.
Anyone who values religious roots and/or spiritual wisdom related to the use and care of the earth, and the role of the human species in it, will find rich ground to plow here. Davis shows not only that the Bible has a concern for the earth and the well-being of its creatures, but that this concern is central to the Israelites. She even finds this at the heart of the holiness codes in Deuteronomy, which readers often skip over to avoid boredom.
In short, "Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture" makes it clear that the Bible's most ancient wisdom, in terms of food production and land use, was local, sustainable, and organic when local, sustainable, and organic wasn't cool!

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read, March 23, 2009

By 

John D. Nachtrieb (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible (Paperback)

I'm not aware that this approach has been taken before--and it's so obvious and sensible. I also appreciate the frequent references to Wendell Berry who has so much of great iportance to say about caring for the land.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not simply "An Agrarian Reading of the Bible.", January 10, 2012

By 

JJ - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible (Kindle Edition)

While I would wish that all people would treat the natural resources of our planet with care and with due sacredness, this book is far from simply being an "Agrarian Reading of the Bible." The author fails to notice much of the Bible, rather seeing the history of the Bible limited to the promise of the Land (excuse me, rather "the promise of the use of the Land"), the ecological requirements (from who?)that were placed upon the use of it, and the banishment (exile) of the people because they did not use the Land well, in keeping with these Ecological requirements.

What of the return from Exile of these people?? There is no adequate reason given (see below). The author can not maintain this fiction as much as she may wish. Again, I have no problem with people treating the land well. In fact, there are many parts of her assessment I would agree with. Notice, for instance, how Jonah ends, with an emphasis on God's care for the animals. The point is well made that one should be faithful stewards of the land and the animals. However, this is a far cry from ecological philosophy today and the green focus that promotes animal care above people care. For instance, the Bible promotes animal sacrifice... so this is hardly green ecological practice in the view of the author and many others who care for animals. The author simply fails to do justice to what is being said in Scriptures (in addition to the few areas she is focused on).

Notice too, in this book, that the end of the author's concern for what is happening with man and God is with the Exile. She feels that man has messed up the ecology of the land and was booted out. But, how then did the people come back to the land? Were they practicing ecology in Persia and so impressed God that he gave them another chance?! Hardly. Nor will you find any serious treatment as to why the Bible says the people were to return to the land.

And this lack of appreciation for what the Bible says about these events and these issues is why I give it low marks. It simply fails to reflect what is really in the Bible. If this book wants to maintain a theology of ecology based on the author's beliefs, that is fine. To maintain this is an "Agrarian Reading of the Bible" is a stretch. Certainly this is a green-focused ecological philosophy with references to the Bible as it seemed to support the author's views. If one agrees with her position and does not mind the soft way she treats only parts of the Scriptures, then they will probably love this book and the conclusions she draws. If one is looking for a thorough Biblically based understanding of stewardship and agrarian influences in the Bible, this is not the book you will want.