EW: Book Review/ Giveaway: Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!! 

And now for the giveaway for the ADULTS on Earth Day!

When Hachette sent me the info on this book I was more than a little intriqued. I had not heard of Merritt before, but his premise was interesting and living in the deep South, i knew it would go against a lot of people's long held dogmas, so i wanted to read for myself what he had to say!

Synopsis: In GREEN LIKE GOD, Jonathan Merritt gently, and insightfully, observes that the bible has a lot to say about environmental problems like unclean water, material waste, over consumption, air pollution, and global warming. In fact, Jonathan writes that "in the book of Genesis, God went green and never looked back." Relying heavily on scripture, Jonathan gives the case for green living, but not because it's trendy and hip. Rather, it's part of living rightly as a believer. It's an act of obedience to our Creator-God.

GREEN LIKE GOD is at once practical, prescriptive, and conversational in tone. The author looks at a number of trends with tips to help the reader wade into the world of creation care living. An appendix includes suggestions of things we can do. In addition, the book includes interviews with everyday Christians to tell the story of the journey to environmental stewardship among people of faith.

This is the book that Christians are longing for and need today. Written for a new generation of Christians who are struggling with how to deal with the important issue of creation-care and green living, GREEN LIKE GOD is both highly relevant and theologically sound. It will have a profound impact on how Christians live and interact with the world today.

Author Info: Jonathan is a faith and culture writer who has published over 100 articles in respected outlets such as USA Today, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Relevant magazine. This is his first book. As a respected Christian voice, Jonathan has been interviewed by numerous media outlets such as ABC World News, NPR, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Jonathan has earned two Master’s degrees and is a sought after speaker at colleges, seminaries, churches, and conferences. He resides outside of Atlanta, GA. You can read more on his website, and go here to read a sample chapter form the book.

Review:  Ok, I never thought as God as GREEN, but when you look at the evidence that Merritt gives us FROM THE BIBLE, it give you pause. Example: Throughout the Old Testament there are numerous rules to cover animals and plants, to protect and defend them. It was LAW and considered part of the "sanctity of life". Life is sacred because God created it and placed value on it. By creating animals and plants, he also placed value on them, thus the numerous laws, as they also are sanctified. Simple, but makes the point, right?

Consider another: In the beginning, literally- Genesis- God does not start with man, he starts with the lands and seas, then the sky and light, then the birds and fish, then the wild animals. And after EACH, he says "And God saw that it was good". "With each demonstration of God's power is a statement about God's passion for the planet and THEN he makes man. "  Hmmmmmm

And another: When God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, it was so  he could "work it and take care of it". Adam representing mankind is charges with taking care of God's world- the Earth he has made, represented by the garden. Thus, from the beginning, man was instructed to CARE for the earth!

Another: God does not just COMMUNE with us in the 4 walls of a church. Every day we experience the bounty of nature, the majesty of a landscape, the awe of a rainbow, the reverence of a still lake at dawn, the roar of the ocean, God reminds us that the " whole world is the house of God". When we preserve nature, we can commune with God more easily.

Many Christians were taught the acronym J-O-Y in Sunday school. It means: Jesus, Others, You. When you apply that to the environment, you understand that after Jesus, Others does not mean just other people, but the community, which is the nature around you, that supports you and allows God to commune with you. So when Creation-care leaders urge their churches and followers to step OUTSIDE 4 walls and tend to the earth, they are following a long held mantra that many have forgotten.

Merritt included some staggering facts like America has only 5% of the world's population, but we use 33% of the world's paper products. A forest roughly the size of Jamaica is harvested for that 33%. He also has wonderful tips on things we can start doing to make a difference and follow God's original intentions: buy from a LOCAL farmer, grower, artist, tradesman. Not only does it support your community, it takes out the middle man costs of transportation and packaging.

This is a super book to get you think and maybe more importantly to get your pastor and congregation thinking of what small steps they can take to help the Earth and fulfill God's intentions!
I highly recommend it to everyone!

AND Hachette has generously offered THREE of you a chance to win your OWN copy!

GIVEAWAY:

THREE  lucky readers will win a copy of Green is God!

ENTRIES:

Make sure I have an email address, with your comment, so I can contact you, if you win!   
If I don't have a way to contact you, you will forfeit your win!

USA/ Canada only, NO PO Boxes (Hachette's rules)
 

3 day winner's rule : Winner has 3 days to acknowledge they won prize,
and confirm address, if no contact, then new winner will be picked in their place. 

 

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Contest will end on May 8th, at midnight. Winner will be picked by Random Number (random.org) on May 9th, and emailed. As soon as winner's info is received, Hachette shall be advised and will mail the books directly to them.

Disclosure: This book was sent to me free of charge, for review purposes, by Hachette  Publishing. I was not told how to review it however.