The Sea and Ecology

Abstract

Abstract The study of the sea in the Bible has been governed by an interest in chaos; this and the dominance, until recently, of “green” over “blue” ecology means that ecological approaches to the sea in the Bible are as yet comparatively undeveloped. There are two primary areas of research focus: on the sea itself and also on the varied life it supports. Both are portrayed as creatures of God and as responding to him in praise and obedience, as well as being vulnerable to climate change and pollution. In addition, the sea may be understood both as a source of life and as an increasing threat, with rising sea levels being of particular concern to island and coastal communities. The biblical theme of “chaos” is particularly problematic for “blue” theology, yet there are fresh approaches here, too, from challenging underlying models of dominion and recovering the sea’s “voice” to questioning the applicability of this motif to a range of biblical passages or balancing it with contrasting marine images. Interest in sea creatures is brought into dialogue with biblical material especially in relation to fishing, with the ideas of “stewardship” and sabbath rest or jubilee being discussed in relation to fisheries. This chapter briefly discusses some of the key passages relating to the sea in the Bible, such as Rev 21:1; Gen 1; Ps 104:24–26 and the divine speeches of Job, and it concludes by suggesting some future avenues for research.