Elaine A. Phillips

Stewards of Eden

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Sandra Richter marshals evidence from her decades of first-rate engagement with biblical theology, her extraordinary knowledge of pertinent ancient Near East sources, and her awareness of unconscionable contemporary environmental disasters in order to challenge the church. The earth is the Lord's and we are privileged to be stewards thereof. That mandate transcends current political divides and puts the matter squarely in the realm of 'kingdom politics.' The task of the church is thus to nurture lives of restraint as we use resources and charity as we share them.”

The Moody Bible Atlas

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“If 'geography is a flavor' (preface), this text is a feast. At the outset, Barry Beitzel whets readers' appetites, offering rich and abundant samples of how physical geography has shaped familiar biblical narratives. The metanarrative of Scripture is at the center of the sumptuous main course. It starts with the possible locations of Edenic paradise and continues through the Spirit-empowered expansion of the church in the Roman world. Beitzel expertly marshals the vast array of biblical and extrabiblical documentary evidence and retells the biblical metanarrative, accompanying it with a robust collection of maps that help 'fill in the blanks.' Throughout, readers will savor the engaging prose, thoughtful exploration of challenges, and mastery of source materials that characterize this metaphorical banquet.”