Gaia, the scientific theory founded by James Lovelock in 1979, embraces the earth as a whole, dynamic entity whose sum is always larger than its parts. While science and theology are often seen as contraries, which negate or dilute one another, Gaia theory harmonizes both systems of thought. Sacred Gaia cogently describes Gaia theory's analysis of human and earthly evolution. Anne Primavesi's remarkable, effortlessly coherent book helps us to recognize the sacredness of our origins and our responsibility for the future.

This work probes deeply into the nature of Gaia, a scientific theory founded by James Lovelock in 1979. This theory embraces the earth as a whole, a dynamic entity in which the sum is always larger than its parts. While science and theology are often seen as contrary, the one negating or diluting the other, Gaia reaches its conclusions from both systems of thought. In this book, Anne Primavesi cogently describes this theory and its analysis of both our evolution and that of the earth itself. By offering a deeper understanding of these complex conditions, Primavesi should help us to recognize...

In this, the second of Anne Primavesi's explorations of human relationships with the Earth, she asks that we complete the ideological revolution set in motion by Copernicus and Darwin concerning human importance. They challenged the notion of our God-given centrality within the universe and within Earth's evolutionary history. Yet as our continuing exploitation of Earth's resources and species demonstrates, we remain wedded to the theological assumption that these are there for our sole use and benefit. Now James Lovelock's scientific understanding of the existential reality of Gaia's gift of...

James Lovelock's Gaia theory revolutionized the understanding of our place and role in the global environment. It is now accepted that our activities over the past two hundred years have contributed to and accelerated the extreme weather events associated with climate change. The fact that those activities materialized, for the most part, from within Western Christian communities makes it imperative to assess and to change their theological climate: one characterized by routine use of violent, imperialist images of God.

The basis for change explored here is that of gift events,...

Scientific assertions about our shared origins with other species and shared dependence on global ecosystems are often resisted and even dismissed on the grounds that humans are different from all other beings in both degree and kind. We presume we are intellectually and morally superior to all other creatures. We might even be accused of worshipping humanity. Anne Primavesi looks at ways that the Christian inheritance has contributed to or limited respect for biodiversity and asks: How is our common perception of God at variance with Jesus own understanding of our Father s kingdom ? Would a...

This book is a gift to all who are concerned about global warming, climate change, poisonous living environments, and the growing disparity between the 1 percent and the 99 percent. Completed when Hurricane Sandy had wreaked havoc on the Northeast seaboard of the United States, this book is a timely wake-up call to all the inhabitents of our shared Earth. With clarity and rigor, Anne Primavesi traces the root causes of human beings' alienation from the earth and offers a new image of Earthiness as Oneness, defining it as "a material, shared global state of being alive; with all life being...

Description:
If we see ourselves as Earth rather than Earth as existing for us our perspective is transformed. A variety of religious, philosophical, cultural, and political self-perceptions that dominate our sense of human identity are deeply challenged by this shift in perspective. John Lockes doctrine of Earth as human "property" has been central to current presuppositions about our selves: justified on the grounds of our possessing unique, divinely bestowed, rational abilities. But today, the effects of that doctrine on Earths resource base and on its other-than-human creatures directly...