Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision (Prophetic Christianity) [Paperback]

Randy Woodley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2012 | Series: Prophetic Christianity

Materialism. Greed. Loneliness. A manic pace. Abuse of the natural world. Inequality. Injustice. War. The endemic problems facing America today are staggering. We need change and restoration. But where to begin?

In Shalom and the Community of Creation Randy Woodley offers an answer: learn more about the Native American 'Harmony Way,' a concept that closely parallels biblical shalom. Doing so can bring reconciliation between Euro-Westerners and indigenous peoples, a new connectedness with the Creator and creation, an end to imperial warfare, the ability to live in the moment, justice, restoration -- and a more biblically authentic spirituality. Rooted in redemptive correction, this book calls for true partnership through the co-creation of new theological systems that foster wholeness and peace.

Product Details

• Paperback: 197 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (May 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802866786
• ISBN-13: 978-0802866783
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley is a Keetoowah Cherokee Indian descendent. He currently serves as Distinguished Associate Professor of Faith and Culture and Director of Intercultural and Indigenous Studies at George Fox Seminary in Portland, Oregon. (Ph.D. Intercultural Studies). Randy is active in ongoing concerns of emerging faith expressions, diversity, eco-justice, reconciliation, ecumenism, inter-faith dialogue, mission and indigenous peoples.

A former Pastor, he continues to be involved in grassroots ministry/activism and community organizing today, as he has for most of his adult life. Dr. Woodley is a founding board member of NAIITS, the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies. NAIITS, in partnership with George Fox Seminary, has begun a new Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies degree, which Dr. Woodley initiated and now directs. Randy and his wife Edith (Eastern Shoshone/Choctaw) are cofounders of Eagle's Wings Ministry (http://eagleswingsministry.com/).

Together, the Woodleys developed a uniquely holistic model of service among Native Americans called "Ministry in a Good Way" out of which grew in 2004, a 50 acre sustainable farm and Christian community called Eloheh Village for Indigenous Leadership and Ministry Development. At Eloheh the Woodleys taught sustainability, eco-justice, microeconomics, leadership and mission. In 2008 they gave up their farm and were forced to disband the community due to continued violence and political pressure from local White Supremacists. They now host a local Native American gathering at their small farm in Newberg, Oregon.

Blogs: Ethnic Space and Faith (http://ethnicspace.wordpress.com/) and Emergent Village Voice (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/emergentvillage/) and God's Politics at http://sojo.net/search/apachesolr_search/randy%20woodley

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shalom and the Community of Creation August 1, 2012

By Bruce Crawford

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I have been listening to sermons in churches for over thirty years, and I am hard pressed to count on one hand the messages that encouraged me see or value my connection with the environment. All too often questions regarding our stewardship of the land or relationship with the land-environment are met with the all too common, standard knee jerk response: "What's it matter anyway... its all going to burn." Shalom and the Community of Creation breathes fresh air into the stale conversation by casting vision of how human beings might relate to the creation in a healthy way. Dr Woodley skillfully points out the profound similarities between the Native American harmony way approach to life, with the Hebrew- Shalom way of life found in the Old Testament. This book gives the reader a holistic theological foundation that provides hope for those who feel trapped within our "its all going to burn" ideology. Shalom and the Community of Creation left me feeling both challenged and inspired to learn more from my Native American brothers and sisters of how I might walk on this earth in healthier way! This is a life giving book that is definitely worth reading!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Two Indigenous Visions November 24, 2012

By Signpoststeve

Format:Paperback

The book draws surprising connections between the ancient Hebrew social concept of Shalolm with what Woodley calls the "Harmony Way" which, he argues, is embedded throughout the stories and ceremonies of North American First Nations traditions. He adeptly and respectfully suggests that modern, western society (and perhaps more importantly, Christianity and Christian theology) has become disaterously unmoored from its roots and that perhaps, the best of indigeonous vision can help broker a recovery of what has been lost, and restore us to a measure of sanity.

Dr. Randy Woodley is a Keetoowaw Cherokee, a distinguished associate professor of faith and culture at George Fox Seminary, and a fellow pilgrim of the Jesus Way from within the indigenous culture and tradition of his people.

Quotes from the book:

p 51: The artificial reality created by modernity places us in a world where human achievement (not God's creation) is heralded as the pinnacle of beauty, wisdom and inspiration.

p 79: Any system (cultural/economic institution,) starting out fairly good can become corrupted over time. Primal peoples understand this concept, and in order to maintain harmony they embed renewal and cleansing ceremonies in their systems, whereas modern peoples have neglected to include such systems.

p. 127: Looking at the problem from a global perspective, the normal energy supplied by Mother Earth through producers such as phytoplankton are being consumed too rapidly and disequilibrium has occured. Under normative conditions (pre-modern), humans are only tertiary consumers of the earth's energy, behind more primary consumers like zooplankton and secondary consumers like fish. Humans have moved recently from tertiary consummers to becoming primary consumers.... Such change is beyond the earth's natural cycle and recharge rates, creating imbalance and disharmony on the whole planet. In order to restore balance, the earth is being forced to "consume" the primary consumer, moving her temporarily to confront humanity with the only defense she has, namely, natural disasters. In a very real sense, the top of the food chain is now the earth herself. But hopefully there may still be time to repent and change.

p. 128: The blessings of a healed land seem to follow when there is a remarriage with the people and the land. The current marital status between modern humanity and the land is similiar to a state of divorce. Today, the earth is clearly speaking to humanity, but in terms of our national and global policies we are ignoring her message. What is needed in order to reconcile the marriage is a marriage counselor. And that is the role that indigenous people can play in this serious breach.

"Woodley precicely describes the lethal situation we have created for ourselves - and then he exposits an alternative way for an abundant life... This book shows that there are intellectual, moral recources available for redirecting our political-economic imagination" - Walter Bueggemann / Columbia Theological Seminary Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting and insightful book January 17, 2013

By W. C. Kuebler

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Not only for those interested in Native American culture and mythology, etc., but for anyone of faith. This book has a lot to offer those of us who are of "European" decent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly prophetic and challenging. December 8, 2012

By Jenna

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Great, challenging, timely book. The church needs to hear this perspective. Randy is a good story-teller and calls the church to live out shalom. He gives practical ideas the church can work to reconcile its past to live out shalom in the present.

5.0 out of 5 stars good read October 14, 2012

By Josh

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This is a thoughtful and helpful addition to the emerging field of non-Western theological reflection. Woodley does an excellent job linking the broad based concepts of 'Harmony' in Native American traditions with the biblical idea of shalom. In some areas readers will be challenged by Woodley's strong statements about the entanglement of the U.S. religious system with empire, and indeed his section on dualism will be hard for some to swallow. Take heart though, Woodley is writing from a desire for the gospel to go deeper in the fabric of society not merely as a critic who doesn't care.

4.0 out of 5 stars To them that have ears October 10, 2012

By R. D. Hudgens

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This is a very helpful book for understanding how a non-Western, native perspective upon Christian faith can open up the Bible in refreshing ways and provide both a critique of contemporary civilization and a path to a new way of living. Woodley is I suppose an "evangelical" of sorts but this volume has value far beyond the narrow boundaries of that constituency. A useful, hopeful, and valuable piece of work.

5.0 out of 5 stars God is alive in the native community September 6, 2012

By KA Ward

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This is a book that challenges me to consider the faith story of the Bible from a tribal view, going back to the Abrahamic covenant, rather than the linear one often taught in European interpretations.

I highly recommend the book, which has given me a lot of insight into my dealings with native friends, of whom there are many.

As Dr Woodley shows in the book, the kingdom of God has elements that are much more profound and inclusive than the conflicts we create. This vision has revived my interest in many dimensions. Thank you, Randy!