ISBN: 9781933392011 Year Added to Catalog: 2006 Book Format: Hardcover Book Art: Index Number of Pages: 6 x 9, 232 pages Book Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Old ISBN: 1933392010 Release Date: April 27, 2006
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action A few years ago, J. Matthew Sleeth was a doctor whose family lived in an expensive house and dr
Sojourners Magazine
December 2006
Creation Care
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action A few years ago, J. Matthew Sleeth was a doctor whose family lived in an expensive house and drove luxury cars. But as more of his patients came in with environmentally induced ailments—and when he and his family assessed their own environmental impact—he decided changes were in order. Sleeth's Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action is a highly readable and practical book about ways we can live in line with our biblical values. Chelsea Green
Bookwatch Review
August 2006
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action could've been featured in our religious shelf area but is reviewed here for its dual blend of spirituality and environmental sentiment. Five years ago the author had a great job, home, and comfortable married life with kids – until he realized something was wrong as he saw increasing numbers of patients suffering from cancer, asthma, and chronic illness. His religious introspection led to a newfound path away from affluence and more in tune with a less materialistic, earth-friendly lifestyle and Serve God, Save the Planet follows both his journey and the connections between Christianity and environmental thinking as a whole.
Dr. Matthew Sleeth sees the care of creation as an issue that is relevant and timely – and most importantly, supported by the Bible
The Barrick Report
By Michael Barrick
Even though war is being waged on numerous fronts in the Middle East, the weather is getting its share of front page and primetime coverage.
A storm ravaged St. Louis recently. A heat wave covered the entire United States. Wildfires rage in California, and earlier this summer, sections of historic Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon in Northern Arizona were ablaze. North Korea has lost as much as 10 percent of its food crop because of unseasonably heavy rains. Hurricane recovery continues. These are just a few of the weather-related stories competing with wars for our attention.
Yet, many Christians continue to question whether or not climate change is occurring. Consequently, considering the implications of it – and what response is required – is not a subject generally covered from the pulpit.
Voices, however, are beginning to be heard.
One who is emerging is Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth, a former emergency room director and medical chief of staff. Drawing upon his medical experiences and Scripture, Sleeth has written a book in which he describes how he came to see the care of creation as an issue that is relevant and timely – and most importantly, supported by the Bible. He is utilizing the “bully pulpit” available to him through the release of the book by conducting interviews, by participating in radio programs, and by sharing his thoughts at conferences. He is also literally preaching from the pulpit, eager to accept invitations that allow him a chance to share with the Church what the Bible has to say about creation care.
His message, while still often challenged, has found its fans.
Significantly, the forward to Sleeth’s book, “Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action,” is written by the Rev. Richard Cizik, the vice president for the National Association of Evangelicals. In the forward, Cizik argues, “Sleeth…has news that most people do not want to hear. The earth is on the verge of ecological collapse, and we are the cause.”
Pointing out that Sleeth is also “a man of action,” Cizik continues, “Sleeth makes very clear in this chronicle of his personal journey that God always comes first, and that part of loving God is honoring and caring for all of His creation.”
Indeed, Cizik is correct. Sleeth outlines the biblical foundation for creation care, deconstructs arguments by believers that have become skeptical of environmental stewardship because they associate it with those who place creation above the Creator, recounts the journey of his family to live a simpler life, and offers practical steps each person can take to use less of the earth’s limited natural resources.
Since the book’s release earlier this year – and even before – Sleeth has been preaching to widely diverse audiences about this message. Recently, he shared how he and the message are being received.
Acknowledging that the publication of the book has opened doors, he noted, “I’ve been at this for years. When I first wanted to step up and talk about God and stewardship, nobody wanted to hear. But now I’m just one of many servants out there talking about the issue.”
The issue shouldn’t be controversial, said Sleeth. “I have a Nelson study Bible from a hundred years ago. There are more than 40 pages about the care of plants and animals.”
Still, he said he understands why Christians have not been vocal on the issue of environmental stewardship. “I’ve asked people why they don’t embrace creation care. The answer is that environmentalism has too often been tied to unsavory causes. When I point out the smog in the sky and the drastically rising asthma and cancer rates, I tell them that these are God issues. God created the planet, and he created us. He wants both to be healthy.”
Sleeth encourages Christians to seize this opportunity to work on creation care. “The beauty of the Church being involved is that we can offer biblical solutions to environmental problems, as well as a message of God’s love and salvation. When the Church takes the lead in solving our planetary issues, great things will happen.”
Sleeth now finds that those who were once skeptical are often the most enthusiastic advocates of stewardship. “In writing this book, I set out to tell the truth. The Bible has the answer to every problem we’ve ever had or will have.
“All of this,” he says, “opens the door for us to share the love of Christ.”
ove luxury cars. But as more of his patients came in with environmentally induced ailmentsâ??and when he and his family assessed their own environmental impactâ??he decided changes were in order. Sleeth's Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action is a highly readable and practical book about ways we can live in line with our biblical values. Chelsea Green
Bookwatch Review
August 2006
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action could've been featured in our religious shelf area but is reviewed here for its dual blend of spirituality and environmental sentiment. Five years ago the author had a great job, home, and comfortable married life with kids â?? until he realized something was wrong as he saw increasing numbers of patients suffering from cancer, asthma, and chronic illness. His religious introspection led to a newfound path away from affluence and more in tune with a less materialistic, earth-friendly lifestyle and Serve God, Save the Planet follows both his journey and the connections between Christianity and environmental thinking as a whole.
Dr. Matthew Sleeth sees the care of creation as an issue that is relevant and timely â?? and most importantly, supported by the Bible
The Barrick Report
By Michael Barrick
Even though war is being waged on numerous fronts in the Middle East, the weather is getting its share of front page and primetime coverage.
A storm ravaged St. Louis recently. A heat wave covered the entire United States. Wildfires rage in California, and earlier this summer, sections of historic Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon in Northern Arizona were ablaze. North Korea has lost as much as 10 percent of its food crop because of unseasonably heavy rains. Hurricane recovery continues. These are just a few of the weather-related stories competing with wars for our attention.
Yet, many Christians continue to question whether or not climate change is occurring. Consequently, considering the implications of it â?? and what response is required â?? is not a subject generally covered from the pulpit.
Voices, however, are beginning to be heard.
One who is emerging is Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth, a former emergency room director and medical chief of staff. Drawing upon his medical experiences and Scripture, Sleeth has written a book in which he describes how he came to see the care of creation as an issue that is relevant and timely â?? and most importantly, supported by the Bible. He is utilizing the â??bully pulpitâ?¯ available to him through the release of the book by conducting interviews, by participating in radio programs, and by sharing his thoughts at conferences. He is also literally preaching from the pulpit, eager to accept invitations that allow him a chance to share with the Church what the Bible has to say about creation care.
His message, while still often challenged, has found its fans.
Significantly, the forward to Sleethâ??s book, â??Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action,â?¯ is written by the Rev. Richard Cizik, the vice president for the National Association of Evangelicals. In the forward, Cizik argues, â??Sleethâ?¦has news that most people do not want to hear. The earth is on the verge of ecological collapse, and we are the cause.â?¯
Pointing out that Sleeth is also â??a man of action,â?¯ Cizik continues, â??Sleeth makes very clear in this chronicle of his personal journey that God always comes first, and that part of loving God is honoring and caring for all of His creation.â?¯
Indeed, Cizik is correct. Sleeth outlines the biblical foundation for creation care, deconstructs arguments by believers that have become skeptical of environmental stewardship because they associate it with those who place creation above the Creator, recounts the journey of his family to live a simpler life, and offers practical steps each person can take to use less of the earthâ??s limited natural resources.
Since the bookâ??s release earlier this year â?? and even before â?? Sleeth has been preaching to widely diverse audiences about this message. Recently, he shared how he and the message are being received.
Acknowledging that the publication of the book has opened doors, he noted, â??Iâ??ve been at this for years. When I first wanted to step up and talk about God and stewardship, nobody wanted to hear. But now Iâ??m just one of many servants out there talking about the issue.â?¯
The issue shouldnâ??t be controversial, said Sleeth. â??I have a Nelson study Bible from a hundred years ago. There are more than 40 pages about the care of plants and animals.â?¯
Still, he said he understands why Christians have not been vocal on the issue of environmental stewardship. â??Iâ??ve asked people why they donâ??t embrace creation care. The answer is that environmentalism has too often been tied to unsavory causes. When I point out the smog in the sky and the drastically rising asthma and cancer rates, I tell them that these are God issues. God created the planet, and he created us. He wants both to be healthy.â?¯
Sleeth encourages Christians to seize this opportunity to work on creation care. â??The beauty of the Church being involved is that we can offer biblical solutions to environmental problems, as well as a message of Godâ??s love and salvation. When the Church takes the lead in solving our planetary issues, great things will happen.â?¯
Sleeth now finds that those who were once skeptical are often the most enthusiastic advocates of stewardship. â??In writing this book, I set out to tell the truth. The Bible has the answer to every problem weâ??ve ever had or will have.
â??All of this,â?¯ he says, â??opens the door for us to share the love of Christ.â?¯
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