—Stewardculture—
A Christian-Agrarian Magazine!

Dateline: 28 October 2015


Issue #2


I found out yesterday that there is a "new" Christian-agrarian magazine. Four issues have already been published, but I just found out, so it's new to me. 

Stewardculture does not identify itself as a "Christian-agrarian" publication, but it appears to be written for Christians who feel a calling to farm, garden, and otherwise work the earth in a responsible, contra-industrial way.

The magazine is published online. It's very well done. It's free. I encourage you to check it out at this link: Stewardculture Magazine.



Issue #1



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Seeing this new magazine, coupled with the newly published book, Organic Wesley, has me thinking that the Christian-agrarian "movement" is growing. Or, at least, one important element of the movement is visibly taking more shape and getting a "voice." That is, the aspect of proper land stewardship and the ethical production of food by people who have a Biblical worldview.

There is, however, a second important aspect to the Christian-agrarian path, or so it seems to me, and that is the matter of separation from the ungodly industrialized culture we live in. While proper stewardship of the earth should be important to Christian-agrarians, so too should be the matter of separation.

Clearly, personal involvement of Christians in ethical land stewardship is a degree of separation, but I think there is much more to this biblical and agrarian mandate. 

Take, for example, the matter of debt. Should Christian-agrarians assume usury-debt in their mandate to steward the land? And what of materialism, which is an important aspect of the industrial culture. Should the Christian-agrarian ethic reflect a high level of materialistic accumulation and consumption beyond what is needed to properly steward the land? What about the education of children and our choice of vocation? What about the Christian-agrarian view of modern medicine?

Hmmm. I think the Christian-and-agrarian ethic can and should address such questions (and others), but these things can be much more difficult than land stewardship to parse and definitively resolve to everyone's satisfaction. 

So, it may not be necessary (or wise) to "officially" propound Christian-agrarian ethics beyond proper stewardship of the earth. However, I do think that the matter of deliberate separation, especially from industrial-world dependencies and cultural expectations, should be an important part of the thought process (and actions) of all Christians who embrace the concept of ethical stewardship of the land. 



7 comments:

Unknown said...

Herrick:
First of all, thanks very much for posting about our little online magazine. I do hope your readers enjoy it.
You make a great point about the separation issue for believers. I agree, truly, that we are to both separate ourselves in ways to not be drawn into the world system (debt?) but also to be a beacon for others to be drawn to the light of Christ in us (and in our stewardship). I would welcome a submission of your thoughts about the points you bring up to publish in Stewardculture Magazine. I think the voice you bring is welcome and needed. Even for those out there who may not agree with everything you may write, the scriptures teach us to reason together. I invite you to share the wisdom the Lord has granted you with the readers of Stewardculture Magazine.

In Him,

Dan Grubbs
editor
Stewardculture Magazine
grubbs.dan@gmail.com

magnoliasntea said...

Thank you for the magazine link, I'm looking forward to reading there as soon as I publish this comment. And congrats on being asked to share your wisdom with the magazine. I agree that you have much to share that would benefit their readers.
Have a great day!

Herrick Kimball said...

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the comment. Your mention of "drawn to the light of Christ in us" beings to mind my essay. Light In Our Dwellings.

I'm not sure I have time or inclination to write a specific article for the magazine, but you are welcome to reprint any of my blog writings in Stewardculture. And if you do not yet have a copy of my book, Writings of a Deliberate Agrarian just e-mail me your address. As Rick Saenz once wrote of the book, it "casts a vision" for the Christian-agrarian life.

I'm going to put a link to your magazine web site on my sidebar here soon.

Best wishes,

Herrick Kimball

Herrick Kimball said...

Hmmm. I see the link above isn't working. Let's try that again...

Click Here: Light In Our Dwellings

:-)

Unknown said...

Herrick,
Your kind offer to reprint content from your blog is not only welcome, but I will take you up on it for our Winter issue. I was intrigued by your reference to Organic Wesley so then I read your review. I'd like to reprint that blog posting as a book review for our Winter issue. I'll go read Light in Our Dwellings now.

In Him,
Dan

FatJuniesFarmette said...

Mr Herrick, I am a faithful reader and fan. Your writings truly inspire, encourage, and move my heart. I am so excited to discover Stewardculture magazine! And I have Organic Wesley in my Amazon cart. Thank you for sharing your passion and your Christian perspective on agrarian life. You are teaching me as I repent of decades of oblivion to God's design for life, including His means of providing for physical/emotional nutrition and health.

Herrick Kimball said...

Well, FatJuniesFarmette, thank YOU for such a nice comment. God bless you on your Christian-agrarian journey.