Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
on soil management, but the soil specialists working with farmers and other managers
of the soil may be able to communicate more effectively in a Christian culture when
they realize the appreciation for soil management inherent in the culture. Such study
of religious perspectives can therefore foster soil stewardship (Fick 2008).
While the connections in Table 12.2 are suggestive, a wide range of additional con-
nections can be imagined, and the range of religious perspectives that might relate
positively to soil stewardship is vast. Individual land users might discover particular
tenets that inspire them to better soil stewardship. For example, one author's father
TABLE 12.2
Examples of the Principles of Soil Management for Crop Production and
References to Those Principles in the Hebrew Bible and Christian New
Testament
Accelerated soil erosion should be
controlled.
Dust storms—“heavens like bronze…rain like powder”
(Dt 28:23-24).
Beating rain that leaves no food (Prv 28:3).
Water erosion that leaves no hope (Job 14:18-19).
Soil nutrients removed by crops
should be replaced, and soil acidity
and alkalinity optimized.
Fertile soils are a blessing; poor soils are a curse (Dt 28:4,18).
Ashes applied to the soil [a kind of liming] (Ps 147:16).
Composting livestock manure (Isa 25:10).
Spreading manure and crop residues on the soil (Ps 83:10;
Jer 9:22).
Infertile soil produces weeds and profits nothing (Jer 12:13).
The parable of fertilizing the soil for the fig tree (Lk 13:8).
Soil water should be managed so
there is not too much or too little,
and it is available when it is
needed.
Fertile soil is well watered (Gn 13:10; Ez 17:8).
Irrigation is mentioned (Dt 11:10).
Changes in the water regime can destroy or restore the land
(Ps 107:33-35).
Rain and snow cause the crops to grow (Is 55:10).
Soil organic matter should be
maintained by additions of organic
matter and by controlling tillage so
that soil structure and soil aeration
do not limit crop growth.
Sabbath rest of the land gives a fallow period once every 7 years
[benefiting soil organic matter, soil structure, and soil aeration]
(Ex 28:10-11; Lv 25:2-5).
Composting livestock manure [to return organic matter to the
soil] (Is 25:10).
Soil tillage is for hard ground (Jer 4:3), and it is to be limited
(Is 28:24).
The parable of the seed sower and the four kinds of soil [good
soils give good yields] (Mt 13:4-8; Mk 4:4-8; Lk 8:5-8).
Soil biodiversity should be
maintained for ecosystem health
and pest management.
Sabbath rest for the land [also helps restore soil biodiversity]
(Ex 28:10-11; Lev 25:2-5).
Planting a variety of crops (Eccl 11:6).
Seed diseases are found in the soil (Joel 1:17).
Soil pollution, including salinization
from mismanaged irrigation,
should be avoided or corrected.
The land is polluted by bad human behavior such as murder
(Nm 35:33-34; Dt 21:23, 24:4).
Spreading salt destroys the soil (Jgs 9:45).
Fruitful land can become a salty waste (Ps 107:34).
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