The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs: Respecting and Caring for All God's Creation

by Joel Salatin

Overview

From Christian libertarian farmer Joel Salatin, a clarion call to readers to honor the animals and the land, and produce food based on spiritual principles.
What on earth is The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs? It's an inspiring call to action for people of faith . . . a heartfelt plea to heed the Bible's guidance . . . .

It's an important and thought-provoking explanation of how by simply appreciating the marvelous pigness of pigs, we are celebrating the Glory of God.

As a man of deep faith and student of the Bible, and as a respected and successful ecological family farmer, Joel Salatin knows that God created heaven and earth and meant for all living organisms to be true to their nature and their endowed holy purpose. He intended for us to respect and care for His gift of creation, not to ravage and mistreat it for our own pleasure or wealth.

The example that inspires the book's title explains what Salatin means: when huge corporate farms confine pigs in cramped and dark pens, inject them with antibiotics and feed them herbicide-saturated food simply to increase profits, they are not respecting them as a creation of God or allowing them to express even their most rudimentary uniqueness - that special role that is part of His design. Every living organism has a God-given uniqueness to its life that must be honored and respected, and too often that is not happening today.

Salatin shows us the long overlooked ethics and instructions in the Bible for how to eat, how to shop, how to think about how we farm and feed the world. Through scripture and Biblical stories, he shows us why it's more vital than ever to look to the good book rather than corporate America when feeding the country and your family.

Salatin makes a compelling case for Christian stewardship of the earth and how it relates to every action we take regarding our food. He also opens our eyes to a common misconception many Christians may have about environmentalism: it's not a bad thing, and definitely not just the province of secular liberals; it's really a very good thing, part of heeding God's Word.

With warmth and with humor, but with no less piercing criticism of the industrial food complex, Salatin brings readers on a fascinating journey of farming, food and faith. Readers will not say grace over their plates the same way ever again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455536986
Publisher:	FaithWords
Publication date:	05/30/2017
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	229,196
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Joel Salatin is a third generation family farmer working his land in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley with his wife, Teresa, son Daniel, daughter Rachel and their families. The Salatin Polyface Farm, an organic grass-fed farm, services more than 3,000 families, ten retail outlets and fifty restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs. Joel Salatin writes extensively in magazines such as Stockman Grass Farmer, Acres USA, and American Agriculture.

Table of Contents

Foreword Matthew Sleeth, MD ix

Introduction xiii

Who Am I? 1

Biological vs. Mechanical 15

Pattern vs. Caprice 33

Visible vs. Invisible 50

Strength vs. Weakness 58

Participation vs. Abandonment 69

Abundance vs. Scarcity 83

Freedom vs. Bondage 93

Integration vs. Segregation 106

Beauty vs. Ugliness 114

Long-Term vs. Short-Term 130

Faith vs. Fear 146

Inclusive vs. Exclusive 161

Neighborly vs. Antagonistic 174

Relational vs. Separational 185

Empowering vs. Disempowering 196

Sun Driven vs. Earth Driven 206

Narrow Way vs. Broad Way 216

Dependence vs. Independence 228

Forgiving vs. Fragile 239

Altar Call 253

Acknowledgments 259

Index 261

Editorial Reviews

04/18/2016
Farmer and author Salatin (Folks, This Ain't Normal) labels himself a Christian in his 10th book, which is aimed at "his people," namely, Christians who rely on the Bible. The third-generation Virginia farmer strongly argues a Christian case against abuse of the earth and its abundant resources, especially the ones people use for food. Using non-industrial farming methods, Salatin successfully raises livestock and chickens and provides food to area families and restaurants. He knows his pigs, literally, and he is also well acquainted with his Bible, combining the two to link food production with God's design for the world. His audience of Christians may be affronted by his conclusions, but he speaks their language and will surely win converts. However, it's unlikely that his environmentalist following will follow him into sections of biblical reasoning. He is certain of what he knows but lacks the corresponding humility to see beyond what he persuasively criticizes. However, Salatin has an inspired sense of the interdependence of life on the planet and how to honor that, and his book offers a blunt perspective on the critical issue of food production. (May)

Publishers Weekly