The increasing awareness of environmental issues as ultimately moral issues has led to the intersection of religion and environment. Sacramental Commons presents a unique way of looking at this topic by relating the Christian word 'sacrament' (signs of divine presence) to the term 'commons' (shared place and shared goods, among people and between people and the natural world), suggesting that local natural settings and local communities can be a source for respect and compassion.

The increasing awareness of environmental issues as ultimately moral issues has led to the intersection of religion and environment. Sacramental Commons presents a unique way of looking at this topic by relating the Christian word 'sacrament' (signs of divine presence) to the term 'commons' (shared place and shared goods, among people and between people and the natural world), suggesting that local natural settings and local communities can be a source for respect and compassion. Sacramental Commons uses Earth-oriented biblical teachings, and ideas from such thinkers as Hildegard, St. Francis, John Muir, and Black Elk, to provide insights about divine immanence in creation, human commitments to creation, and human accountability to the Spirit, Earth, and biotic community. It extends the concept of 'natural rights' beyond humans to include all nature, and affirms intrinsic value in ecosystems in whole and in part. Sacramental Commons declares that the Earth commons and its goods should be shared equitably by human communities and individuals living in interdependent relationships with other members of the community of life. It suggests essential values that will stimulate care for the commons, and embodies them in principles of an innovative Christian Ecological Ethics.

Part 1 Dedication
Part 2 Acknowledgements
Part 3 Introduction: Sacramental Creation
Chapter 4 Part 1. Creation
Part 5 1. Sacramental Universe
Part 6 2. The Spirit of St. Francis
Part 7 3. Native Spirits
Chapter 8 Part 2. Commons
Part 9 4. Sacramental Commons
Part 10 5. Living Water
Part 11 6. Species Survival
Chapter 12 Part 3. Community
Part 13 7. Nature's Natural Rights
Part 14 8. Commons Good, Common Good and Common Goods
Part 15 9. Job, Injustice and Dynamic Nature
Chapter 16 Part 4. Common Ground
Part 17 10. Jubilee in the Commons
Part 18 11. Commons Commitments: Ecological Ethics
Part 19 12. Spirit, Commons and Community
Part 20 Selected Bibliography
Part 21 Index