In Bible Study, we are reading and discussing a book during the month of September—Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible by Daniel Cooperrider.  Even if you’re unable to attend our weekly Zoom Bible Study here at CFC, I wanted to pass along some insights from this wonderful book.

In the Prologue, Cooperrider lays out what he’s seeking to do: “I aim to enact ecological hermeneutics and to give expression to a type of contemporary creation spirituality. My hope and prayer is that by reading differently, we can live differently.” (pg. 11)  The sections of the book reflect the four classical elements of Nature (Water, Fire, Earth, and Air) and he contends that stories in scripture reflect these elements (Rivers/Water, Mountains/Fire, Trees/Earth, and Clouds/Air). 

Of course we can grow our Christian faith by reading the Bible and developing our theologies.
Though we can also grow our Christian faith by caring for and loving this good Earth that God loved into being!

In the section on Rivers, Cooperrider discusses how water can destroy and water can create.  Water can break down and water can build up. 
Essentially, water can teach us that what is soft can also be strong. 
Because water teaches us how to yield, and how to flow creatively when we encounter something difficult on the paths before us. 

And water is so alive in rivers in particular!
We can remember and give thanks for all those saints of our church baptized in the flowing waters of the Salmon River.
As the Psalmist wrote, “Let all the rivers clap their hands.” (Psalm 98:8) 
In scripture, we can consider the river flowing out of the Garden of Eden and becoming four branches. 
We can be inspired by baptisms in the Jordan River. 
We can look with hope to the river of life-giving water in Revelation, to God dwelling with humanity forever. 
The glory of God is truly all around us. 

Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by kazuend on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 9/5/24