H. H. Miskotte, God’s Own Green Paradise. New Zealand Churches and the Environment,: Shaker Publishing B.V. St. Maartenlaan 26 6221 AX Maastricht 1997, 228pp, ISBN 90-423-0010-8.

This is a “study in practical theology” by the Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Amsterdam. Miskotte had been attracted by stories of New Zealand from his youth, its “clean green” image and its defiance of French and American nuclear policies. He spent six months traveling the length of the country, interviewing people and discovering that the image was as much due to the low population, low industrialization, and location as to deliberate policy. In the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches he found individuals with a high degree of interest in “green theology”, some who had written about it, but little sense of denominational programmes to support these concerns. There seems to be an element of surprise in how little the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation programme of the World Council of Churches actually influenced people. Greenpeace seemed more successful in that respect. Matthew Fox, New Age spirituality, and indigenous Maori spirituality were also ingredients in how people responded to Miskotte’s questions.

The book is based on tapes of his many interviews. The most satisfactory parts are the later sections summarizing longer interviews, particular themes and Miskotte’s own conclusions. It is interesting that he draws attention to the dark side of nature and while a strong environmentalist cautions against romantic idealized views of the world which do not take account of its cruelty and danger. His strong understanding of the Old Testament is apparent and he asks whether, even in New Zealand, “green theology” might not be a basis of Jewish - Christian dialogue.

New Zealanders will be interested to read about themselves and to try and guess who the generally anonymous informants happened to be. Miskotte is a sympathetic observer, but also one with his own interests and views. In terms of methodology the style is informal and anecdotal perhaps reflecting the personality of the writer who clearly has an interest in people and their ideas and brings a subtle understanding of European theology to his conversations - even if this means it is not always easy to stick to a sharply focused line of enquiry. The structure and presentation of the research could have been assisted by further editing, particularly in the earlier chapters. The reviewer hopes that Miskotte’s tapes and notes find their way to the archives in Amsterdam. Sometime in the future they could prove to be a valuable snapshot of New Zealand self-understanding in the mid 1990s. - John Roxborogh