Go to the Ant: Reflections on Biodiversity and the Bible - Softcover

Ghillean provides an unusual combination: deep expertise in details of the natural world, and familiarity with the biblical text. These fifty short reflections lead us on a journey through references in the Bible to plants and animals which we otherwise all too easily skip over. Under the eye of this world-leading scientist, we are drawn into a deeper appreciation of the wonders of nature and the God who brought them into being. But more than that: we are challenged to apply in our own lives the insights that these explorations reveal. An enriching book, to read once, read again, and share with others. David Nussbaum, Chief Executive, WWF-UK Sir Ghillean Prance s epic and enduring global career as a botanist, environmental advocate and Christian leader has been an inspiration to a whole generation of conservationists, secular and believing. Any of his writing is worth serious consideration as few bring such a wealth of experience and thought to these vital issues of how life is to continue on God s good earth at a time of such severe crisis. --Peter Harris, Co-founder of A Rocha

Christianity is often accused of asserting humanity s dominion over nature an attitude that has led to so much environmental destruction and of viewing it as somehow fallen , instead of teaching that we are merely a part of creation and that what we do to the earth, we do to ourselves . In fact, the Bible is teeming with information about plants and biodiversity and different animals and their behaviour, revealing that its writers, like King Solomon and the oracle Agur, had intimate everyday knowledge of the natural world around them and learned from it. Likewise, Jesus was a close observer of nature and was earthed in the here and now, as his parables show. In this book of biblical reflections botanist Ghillean Prance draws richly from his experiences exploring the Amazon and many other regions from the White Mountains of Turkey to the Hawaiian Archipelago. It is his hope that this book will move Christians to wonder at some of the marvels of nature, and so to treat God s creation with reverence and more respect. God s Word is to be read not only in the Bible, but in God s big book .