Response to James A. Nash, ‘The Bible vs. Biodiversity: The Case against Moral Argument from Scripture’.

Authors

  • Celia Deane-Drummond University of Chester

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v3i2.271

Keywords:

Nash, biblical hermeneutics, environmental ethics

Abstract

This response to Nash’s paper, while appreciating his legitimate concerns, argues for the following. First with respect to hermeneutics, he counters the literal use of scripture to support biodiversity in ecclesial statements with literal examples of negative ethical practice. Both are hardly warrant for the total exclusion of scripture from moral arguments. Secondly, his own preference for the active appropriation of theological traditions is rooted in a history of interpretation of scripture. Thirdly, in his desire to be inclusive of ecological and scientific literature, it is not always clear which authority, if any, is setting the criteria for moral reasonableness. Fourthly, his sharp distinction between wilderness and pastoralia may not be as problematic as he believes to be the case.

Author Biography

  • Celia Deane-Drummond, University of Chester
    Full Professor Director of the Centre for Religion and the Biosciences

References

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Published

2009-07-22

How to Cite

Deane-Drummond, C. (2009). Response to James A. Nash, ‘The Bible vs. Biodiversity: The Case against Moral Argument from Scripture’. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 3(2), 271-278. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v3i2.271