WEB PORTFOLIO FOR CHRISTIE GIBBONS

Christie attends St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota. She is an independent major through the Center for Integrative Studies (CIS)department. In May of 2005, she will graduate with two B.A. degrees: 1) Russian Area Studies, & 2) Nature Theology.

Rationale for my individual major (Nature Theology):

Many people go through life with little or no exposure to raw nature, opportunities to explore, or just sit and observe the intricacies of nature. I think this is largely due to a devaluation of nature in western society, which has desensitized people to nature’s beauty and value. Have humans become alienated from nature? Can our capacity to observe the beauty of nature be fostered in our society? Can we see the intricate interdependence of all parts of the ecosystem?

People need to be reminded that we are responsible stewards of nature. To do this, we must realize that it is not our place to exploit nature for personal gain, and that there is beauty in the vast as well as the minute. Recently, I read the following above an entrance to Holland Hall: “Nature—the living visible garment of God.” 

I want to nourish in others their appreciation for God and creation through asking questions such as: Is God revealed in nature? If so, how? Are there limits to knowing God through nature? Are there supplements to knowing God, like: scripture, prayer, revelation, and fellowship? Can, or must, these supplements be incorporated into an understanding of God through nature?

This is a superb major for St. Olaf College, as it was established as a liberal arts college of the church, and has always taken faith seriously. This college is committed to studying pressing problems in dialogue with the resources of theological reflection of Christian faith. By integrating theology and environmental studies I will be continuing this commitment.

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See related topics: Ecotheology (This link will bring you to essays written on this subject.) Deep Ecology (This link will take you to a basic introduction.)