Introduction taken from Born-Again Dirt
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
When I started farming several years ago, this is the book I wanted to read. When the Lord began to convict me that my farm needed to bring glory to Him in the way it was designed and operated, I found there were very few resources to encourage and equip me. The majority of farming books weren’t written by authors with a Biblical worldview, with the refreshing exception of Joel Salatin. His books were extremely inspiring and instilled in me a desire to explore how my love for the Lord Jesus Christ should affect the way I farmed and viewed farming. Finding no existing books, I ended up doing my own informal research, and eventually felt that the Lord wanted me to write a book for the encouragement of other Christian farmers. After much toil and labor, this is the imperfect result.
The primary message of this book is that the transforming work of the Gospel in the hearts of farmers should also transform our agriculture. If we want to glorify God we must be Christian farmers, not just farmers who are Christians. The way we work the dirt must spring from a Biblical worldview. This is the concept of “born-again dirt”.
This book is primarily written for the growing number of Christian families and individuals who are moving back to the land and trying to learn to farm. This includes me. As the Lord works in our lives to change our hearts I believe we begin to value the benefits that an agrarian lifestyle offers:
•The ability to work with our hands
•The opportunity to work with and spend time with family
•The bountiful harvest of healthy, fresh food
•The reliability of providing directly for our needs in a fragile economy
However, there is a danger.
If we don’t recognize the spiritual battleground within agriculture and don’t purposely lay a biblical foundation for the way that we farm, then we will fail to give glory to God in our farming. Agriculture is dominated today by those who deny God’s existence or ownership of all creation, or by those who live as though He doesn’t impact our lives or the way we farm. And they are the ones, unfortunately, who provide the majority of the farming training resources available to us inexperienced Christian back-to-the-landers. We must equip ourselves with a solid, Biblical, agricultural worldview through which we can filter this information, or we will end up worshiping their idols.
I have begun the journey of transforming my farm so that every aspect of it is based in God’s Word. This is what I mean by having dirt that is “born-again.” Perhaps some people may be uncomfortable with my use of this term, but I believe it helps communicate the fact that Christians must view farming differently than non-Christians. A man who has been born-again has been given a new heart, and this new birth changes his perspective on the entire world. A farmer who is born-again should adopt God’s perspective on everything he does, including farming.
I am not a skilled writer, but I would like to share with the body of Christ some of the things I am learning from God that might be of benefit to others. My purpose is not to provide all the answers, but instead to raise questions, look at scripture, share testimony, and provide practical examples of application. I am not as concerned with convincing you to adopt particular methods as I am with challenging you to adopt biblical thinking as the foundation for your methods.
My desire is to see Christian farmers around the world begin a journey of seeking to glorify God though their farms. I want to see the whole Church rise up and take back agriculture for the Kingdom of God by not only farming, but also by being willing to support Godly farming. I believe this will result in the spread of the Gospel of Christ and also in the most successful farms the world has ever known.
To God be the Glory!
Just ordered a copy! Looks to be very helpful as our family has turned toward farming in the last 18 months. I’ve reviewed a couple related books recently on my website, which may interest you. May the Lord bless your farming and publishing works.
Mr. Mark,
It is exciting to see another Christian family that the Lord is leading to get involved in agriculture! I look forward to hearing feedback after you read the book.
Noah
Excited to order this book. Will you be releasing a Kindle version of the book?
James,
I hope to soon have a PDF download available, and haven’t decided whether I will be releasing a Kindle version or not.
In Christ,
Noah Sanders
I’m so proud of you and what God is doing in your life. I have just ordered a book for granddaddy and I and 1 for uncle Robbie. We can’t wait to get it and begin reading.
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It is great to have the support of family. I can’t wait to see what you think.
Love,
Noah
I know where I am spending time at the Family Economic Conference! I listened to your interview with Kevin Swanson and you have got it right young man. You are inspirational like Joel Salatin is.
I would highly recommened this book to anyone interested in agriculture the way it should be. It is a very easy to read and the thought pattern flows from cover to cover. It is excellent. To God be the glory!!
I just ordered my copy!!! I cannot wait! It is great to see a book related to farming that actually is centered on God. Thank you so much!!
My elder just emailed me the link to your page. I’m excited to order the book. You are doing a wonderful work. Thanks and May our Lord richly bless you and yours!
I found your blog from Homestead Revival & I just wanted you to know that your writing is truly a blessing. Thank you for following through with the message that God has given you. I’ve ordered two copies of your book, one for myself and one for my brother, who has just recently purchased a 50 acre farm that he will be trying to bring back to life. The message you share is something my husband and I have been led to for the past 5 years. It is so wonderful that God is “waking up” Christians in the area of agriculture and it is such an exciting time to be going back to the land. I pray your ministry will grow & I know it will because you are seeking to glorify God in all you do.
Wow! Someone else who’s been thinking about farming to the glory of God! Are you on Facebook? Or an email address? I would think John Piper might be interested in your book.
is true but it is much more than that, farmers now itnsantly know the prices of goods, which suppliers are the best to buy from, even which crops will bring the most money in. combines, sprayers and other machinery can now basically drive themselves. gps now massively aids crop dusters and a huge assortment of other equipment. The farming field is now much less dangerous thanks to available info and readily available medical aid. Weather conditions can now be monitored in real time and forecasts are much more accurate. also disease, weather and insect resistant crops have been developed to aid in the farming process.there are a lot of ways technology has changed the field, talking to a farmer is you best bet for a full fledged answer.
I often believe that I have been such a dipaesointmpnt. But, know that when God sees me he sees Jesus. But, here is what I often think about. If God sees Jesus who died for all of our sins, what does Jesus see when he looks down on earth. I try so very hard to be a good person and when I try really hard, I fail. But, when I run to Jesus to say I am sorry, he holds out his arms takes me into a tight hug and tells me it is okay. Go try again but, let me help you. Each day is better than the day before.
I am not a farmer but I would like to use your ideas and bdaoren the horizon and create a project for teaching agriculture in more African countries. Is that possible that I could have a phone chat with you?I am in the process of forming a non profit organization and the mission is to relief hunger. I am sure we can all do it. Just a positive attitude and good team work.Thank you for your good work, you are so blessed, may God make every single second of your life a precious gift to others.Massi
I don’t know about everyone else here, but when I see the intricate glories in the way God created nature through Permaculture, I’m always drawn to worship!!
Hi Noah, Just finished reading your book and I feel totally inspired by it. I am not a farmer but a retired teacher. I live in Sussex UK very near a really rather beautiful village called Slindon. The village is situated in a National Trust estate. There are four farms there one of which is called Gaston Farm. This farm is run on exactly the lines you indicate in your book. When the barn was enlarged in the 1960′s the farmer scratched into the concrete inside the door the following text Psalm 37 vs3-4. Now his son, Gerald, who also loved your book, continues in his father’s ways. According to the National trust the farm is only large enough to support one family, it is now supporting three. It is a place where everyone is welcome and the love of good can be felt when you cross the threshold. We are just setting out on a new project establishing a community garden with the intention of connecting people with where their food really comes from and getting them to thank God for it. I wish you every blessing and every success with your wonderful book.
Thank you so much for writing this book. My wife and I received it as an anniversary gift last week and we are being blessed tremendously as we prayerfully go through it TOGETHER. May God bless you and your family DAILY!
IN Christ alone, Jeffrey<
Our family is inoevlvd in some mission work in a christian school in Zambia. As we look towards the education of these orphans we keep coming back to the idea that they must learn to grow their own food. We live on a farm and have experience in both growing vegetables and raising chickens, cows for beef and milk, pigs, goats, turkeys, and ducks. We have some knowledge in sustainable farming and are currently practicing it. We also have knowledge in preserving food and saving seeds. We can’t help but think we could help these people. We would be willing to pack up and move to Zambia, we are just not sure how we would be able to provide for our family while there. Do you have any wisdom to give in this area? Thank you.
Met your dad last week at Pepper place. I’m bringing enough money this week to get my groceries and your book!
I was inspired by your book and approach to farming to share my own personal gardening experiences as a Torah observant Jew, living in Israel, in a blog called http://www.KosherGardening.com .
Like yourself, I encounter G-d in the garden. With every seed and sapling I plant, I am awed by the mystery and wonder of creation.
I work the land in accordance to the Biblical agricultural precepts as found in the Old Testament and expounded upon by our rabbis and sages.
Allow me to wish you continued good fortune and blessing in your farming endeavors.
Shalom,
Mordechai Welt
Gush Etzion, Israel