The Christian tradition offers two great models for a Christian attitude towards nature, St Benedict, whose Rule was concerned with using the earth without irresponsible exploitation, and St Francis, who represents the aspect of praise and contemplation of it. From that starting point, Fr Faricy's new book considers the main element of a theology of nature. After looking generally at relationships between God, mankind and nature, he examines the way in which these three act upon one another. We are next brought to the problem of evil, the dark side of nature, menacing and dangerous, and perverted by human lawlessness. From here we come to the transformation of nature in art, and what this means for the artist as a model for all relationships with nature. Finally, Fr Faricy explores different ways of finding God in nature through service, praise, thanksgiving, contemplation, meditation or reasoning, and seeing in nature metaphors for the humanity of Jesus Christ.
