Evocations of Grace: The Writings of Joseph Sittler on Ecology, Theology, and Ethics

As early as 1954 -- well before such popular books as Rachel Carson's Silent Spring -- the influential Lutheran theologian Joseph Sittler wrote on the need to think about "a theology for earth." Perhaps most famous for his eloquent and provocative address "Called to Unity" given at the 1961 World Council of Churches assembly in New Delhi, Sittler prophetically and insistently gave voice to what he called "ecological commitment as theological responsibility." Evocations of Grace introduces a new generation of readers to the thought of Joseph Sittler. Gathering ten of Sittler's seminal works -- works foundational to the field yet inaccessible until now -- this volume conveys Sittler's powerful argument for the vital connection between Christian theology, ethics, and the natural world. In an area where so much writing tends to be drearily repetitious, Sittler -- even forty years later -- remains a fresh voice. His proposal for a "cosmic christology" and his clarion call for the "care of the earth" continue to shape current eco-theological reflection. The book also includes a comprehensive Sittler bibliography and original essays by editors Steven Bouma-Prediger and Peter Bakken that assess Sittler's pioneering contribution to environmental ethics. Intended for anyone interested in the relationship between Christian faith and the environment, Evocations of Grace provides the necessary perspective for thinking seriously about the earth and our responsibility to it.