In chapter 1 of Devoted
to Nature, Evan Berry constantly refers to the shift of recreational
activities in America, in this case he is talking about physical activity in
nature as a reflection of the self and his or her spirituality towards God.
During the medieval times, it was not part of culture to even consider
traveling through forests, especially with women and children, as a form of
spiritual reflection of the mind and self. However, with the rise of the
Americas and modernity, this outdoor activity seemed to become part of the
Christian tradition. Pre-modern thinkers considered connections to nature and
God were only accomplished through the human soul, while modern thinkers say
that Christians can still have connections to God and nature through their
material bodies and physical activities such as walking, hiking, camping, and
mountain climbing. Berry also writes that the recreation of physical activity
was not just a leisure that people partook in, it was to gain a sense of the
created world of God and forming and/or strengthening their spiritual bond with
God. In the Middle Ages, Christian theologians did not believe that humans
could bring about their own salvation because only God and his son, Jesus
Christ, could, but with the shift into modern thought and theology, American
Christians started believe that through the beauty of nature that God created,
humans could reflect on this and bring about their own salvation.
In terms of
applying this concept to the 21st century, people of Christian and
other faiths have different ways in connecting with God through nature and
recreational activities. Christians have always strived in their missionary
work across the world, traveling and living alongside nature to convert people
to form bonds with God. American Christians also participate in retreats where
they go out into nature and connect with God through the world he created for
us. Pilgrimages are a common spiritual activity amongst many different
religions like Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, where Jews travel to the Holy
City of Jerusalem, Muslims travel to Mecca, and Christian walk the Camino de
Santiago Compostela. People make these journeys in order to showcase their
faith in God and to bring about their salvation.
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