Creation Care
I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to give the message at my church. The topic was "Creation Care". I was asked to write a short follow-up for the church newsletter. I thought I'd include it here:
The words "environmentalism" or "environmentalist" are hard words for some Christians to latch onto because of the baggage that is often attached to them. Many environmental groups are found in the "secular" circles of society where some Christians are loath to go. > > Both groups, the Christians and secular environmentalists, have had a strained view of each others' roles on this earth. Some Christians claim the environmentalists are only concerned about the earth, not people or that claiming to be an environmentalist is getting too close to "New Age" practices, which makes them uncomfortable. Others have the view that we (Christians) have dominion over the earth and therefore have the right to do with it as we please, and besides, Christ is coming soon and it doesn't matter how we care for the earth * Christ will make all things right very soon.> > Some "secular" environmentalists take the view that the world is in such a mess because so many Christians believe the earth is simply a resource, to be used as we please, without regard to the balance in nature or future generations. > > Care for the planet God has provided us is too critical an issue for us to continue talking past one another (Christians / Environmentalists) and playing the blame game. God has a mandate for us: Care for His Creation! > > As some of you may remember, I spoke of visualizing God as a Librarian and us as library patrons. We've been issued a "book" to use, enjoy, care for, and maintain for future patron's use. Genesis 1:31 states that God's creation was created to be good. We are a part of that creation, not apart from it. Our role is one of stewardship, not ownership of this planet. It's time for a strong commitment by Christians to taking an active role in redefining the term "environmentalist" to lead the way in Christian Environmentalism.> > Michael Frost in his book, Exiles, states: "Only a clear and biblical doctrine of Christian stewardship will give rise to a Christian environmentalism. Such a doctrine will rightly call on all Christians to recognize and honor God's ownership of all that is and to care for creation in such a way as to honor that ownership. As Christians, we believe that the world and all that is in it is deliberate, loving creation of God. God values it for its own sake as well as for its instrumental value to humans and to other creatures. And because God values nature, we, who want to honor and serve God rightly, will also value it."> > Caring for creation is part of our call to worship and serve God. As we move forward focusing on restoration, we will see that everything is connected. Creation care, justice, how we view and use money, relationships and caring for our temple * our bodies are all part of God's original plan for us to recognize, honor, and worship Him. We may find ourselves moving into unfamiliar and uncomfortable areas, challenged to change our views, habits, and lifestyles * Jesus never promised a simple life for those who take up the cross. As Frost states, "The example of Jesus, when authentically understood and appropriated, makes us ill at ease with comfort and security. It propels us into the lives of others. It sends us out to serve someone or something other than ourselves. In short, it lands us with the mission of practicing generosity, hospitality, justice and peace."
The words "environmentalism" or "environmentalist" are hard words for some Christians to latch onto because of the baggage that is often attached to them. Many environmental groups are found in the "secular" circles of society where some Christians are loath to go. > > Both groups, the Christians and secular environmentalists, have had a strained view of each others' roles on this earth. Some Christians claim the environmentalists are only concerned about the earth, not people or that claiming to be an environmentalist is getting too close to "New Age" practices, which makes them uncomfortable. Others have the view that we (Christians) have dominion over the earth and therefore have the right to do with it as we please, and besides, Christ is coming soon and it doesn't matter how we care for the earth * Christ will make all things right very soon.> > Some "secular" environmentalists take the view that the world is in such a mess because so many Christians believe the earth is simply a resource, to be used as we please, without regard to the balance in nature or future generations. > > Care for the planet God has provided us is too critical an issue for us to continue talking past one another (Christians / Environmentalists) and playing the blame game. God has a mandate for us: Care for His Creation! > > As some of you may remember, I spoke of visualizing God as a Librarian and us as library patrons. We've been issued a "book" to use, enjoy, care for, and maintain for future patron's use. Genesis 1:31 states that God's creation was created to be good. We are a part of that creation, not apart from it. Our role is one of stewardship, not ownership of this planet. It's time for a strong commitment by Christians to taking an active role in redefining the term "environmentalist" to lead the way in Christian Environmentalism.> > Michael Frost in his book, Exiles, states: "Only a clear and biblical doctrine of Christian stewardship will give rise to a Christian environmentalism. Such a doctrine will rightly call on all Christians to recognize and honor God's ownership of all that is and to care for creation in such a way as to honor that ownership. As Christians, we believe that the world and all that is in it is deliberate, loving creation of God. God values it for its own sake as well as for its instrumental value to humans and to other creatures. And because God values nature, we, who want to honor and serve God rightly, will also value it."> > Caring for creation is part of our call to worship and serve God. As we move forward focusing on restoration, we will see that everything is connected. Creation care, justice, how we view and use money, relationships and caring for our temple * our bodies are all part of God's original plan for us to recognize, honor, and worship Him. We may find ourselves moving into unfamiliar and uncomfortable areas, challenged to change our views, habits, and lifestyles * Jesus never promised a simple life for those who take up the cross. As Frost states, "The example of Jesus, when authentically understood and appropriated, makes us ill at ease with comfort and security. It propels us into the lives of others. It sends us out to serve someone or something other than ourselves. In short, it lands us with the mission of practicing generosity, hospitality, justice and peace."
posted by Black Sheep at 4:57 PM
3 Comments:
Do we need to be persuaded that Environmentalism is Biblical before we take action? Isn't the logic of the current situation (global warming) enough for us to act? I'm all for trying to undo, or deconstruct those 'Biblical' arguments saying that we can do what we want with the environment, but making out that Christianity is green in essence rings hollow. It isn't. Green theology which is grounded in creation uses the old testament in isolation and as such is only vaguely Christian. Unless it's linked to Christ in what way is it Christian? It should be perfectly obvious to us as Christians that there is a clear moral imperative in acting on behalf of the environment, we shouldn't have to pretend that Christianity and Environmentalism are in some way the same thing.
I have no idea whether or not environmentalism is biblical. To be honest, I am not even sure it matters. I do know that stewardship and selflessness are biblical and they scream to me to take care of what you have.
I think one problem is that some have mis-interpreted "take Dominion" from Genesis to mean "use for material gain." While I believe that the earth is here for our provision and advancement and even for our prosperity, "dominion" needs to be tempered with God's ideas about rulership.
God's idea about rulership includew the concept of "not lording it over." An implication of this is that caring for and beneficial too are parts of dominion.
Thus, I am a Christian Environmentalist!
Having said that, there are some in the environmentalist movement who frustrating me by asserting their claims as religious dogma. So if I disagree with Al Gore's interpretation of the data and assertions about global warming, therefore I am not "pro-environment." Nothing could be further from the truth.
I question the alleged human cause of global warming. But that doesn't make me anti-environment.
:-)
ThirstyJon
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