Hi all. Thanks for the excellent discussion on Spencer, White & Vroblesky (2009), chapter six. The authors challenge us by boiling down all of our reading to date into this one controlling idea: sustainability is all about the quality of relationships between God and human beings. This controlling idea echoes Nicholas Wolterstorff's characterization of shalom. This Hebrew word is often translated as peace in English Bibles. Wolterstorff (1983) argues that the peace of shalom is not simply an absence of violence, but is also the enjoyment of one's relationships with God, fellow human beings, oneself, and also the environment. This is the full meaning of shalom. We see all of these elements in Spencer's eight principles for sustainable living and your Blackboard posts.
The theme in many of your questions and response to one another revolved around application. What does "sacrifice" look like? (Katie and Mario.) How do we change the our perspective of industry so that we can approach caring for creation as a joy rather than a regulatory burden or hurdle to overcome? (Ryan, Michael, Tim & Mario.) How do we build justice for the vulnerable and the marginalized into the fabric of our businesses? (Katie, Julie, Andrew, Micah & Justus.) Whose job is it to ensure healthy relationships inside our companies (Tim & Kyle), and can a desire for improved relationships be intrinsic for business owners, managers and leaders? (Andrews, Kyle & Katie.)
As you might guess, there is no one way to answer these questions. The response/solution that each business provides will be different. The important thing is that you are all thinking about how to operationalize these concepts that stand in contrast to the common ways of conducting American business. We'll be discussing these questions throughout the semester in our study of operations management.
The owners of Broetje Orchards have asked many of the same questions, answering them in the design of their business strategy and their daily operations. Click on the image/link above to see how First Fruits applies Spencer's controlling idea, incorporating all four aspects of relationship identified by Wolterstorff. In the coming weeks we'll examine similar cases initiated by business owners operating from a non-faith based perspective.
So until Monday, may you enjoy all of your relationships!
References
Spencer, N., White, R. & Vroblesky, V. (2009). Christianity, climate change and sustainable living. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
Wolterstorff, N. (1983). Until justice and peace embrace: The Kuyper lectures for 1981 delivered at the Free University of Amsterdam. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
