With the Bible in one hand and scientific writings, journals, and studies in the other, David Elliott tackles what he feels is the best way to conserve the environment in Air, Earth, Fire and Water.

The author theorizes that society has a choice in how to attack the issue of conservation, and that a God-centered society (as opposed to a human-centered one) must follow the path of stewardship of the planet, rather than make a futile effort to override the Creator’s plan and try to change it ourselves.

Throughout the book, Elliott, a self-identified Christian, is not a science denier. Rather, he delves into the “what” of the universe (e.g., the definitions of earth and its components), and finds Bible verses that bear witness to the fact that they did not come about in some random order, but rather in a deliberate plan.

Full of charts, graphs, and citations, the book is a veritable library of scientific knowledge, from definitions of thermodynamics, components of order, separation and design, to the minutiae of the composition of the sun, light, earth, and moon. Important to his thesis is his breakdown of the forms of energy and the efficiencies of each method (e.g., fossil fuel, solar, wind), which are touchpoints of conservationists’ arguments for movement away from reliance on fossil fuels. Yet, because Elliott has confidence that a Creator wouldn’t abandon a meticulous creation, he concludes that that course correction will occur naturally without human intervention.

Readers on either end of the religion vs. science spectrum who are willing to consider the opposite of their respective arguments will find this an interesting read. Ultimately, those who feel that a corrective role is necessary or the planet’s days are numbered will likely be unsettled by the conclusion, while those who espouse the caretaker role will discover ample reason to stick to their beliefs.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.