"Let us note how free from anger he is toward all of his creation. The heavens move at his direction and obey him in peace. Day and night complete the course assigned to them, neither hindering the other. The sun and moon and the choir of stars circle in harmony within the courses assigned to them, according to his direction, without any deviation at all. The earth, bearing fruit in the proper seasons in fulfillment of is will, brings forth food in full abundance for both men and beasts and all living things which are upon it, without dissension or altering anything that he has decreed. Moreover the incomprehensible depths of the abysses and the indescribable judgments of the underworld are constrained by the same ordinances. The basin of the boundless sea, gathered together by his creative action "into its reservoirs," does not flow beyond the barriers surrounding it; instead it behaves just as he ordered it." 1 Clement 19:3b-20:6
When I read this this morning I began to think about environmentalism. I believe that Christians who are involved in environmentalist causes should be distinguished from non-Christians by these principles:
1. We care about the earth because the God who created it loves it and sustains it because it is good.
2. The same God who created all things, also holds them together, and governs them by the counsel of his will. Therefore, we need not fear their destruction apart from an act of his will, which he has promised he would never do.
3. We look forward to the renewal of the heavens and the earth at Christ's return.
Wrong motivations for getting involved with environmentalist causes include:
1. Fear- fear of sea level rising, fear the decimation of humanity etc. Fear is never an appropriate motivation for those who are called to walk by faith. Neither does it reflect an appreciation of the sovereignty of the one who brought all things into existence by his word.
2. Thinking more highly of man than we ought. If God has created all things, holds them together, and governs them by the counsel of his will, man cannot possibly bring an end to the earth. (Poor stewardship can damage significantly the environment but cannot ultimately destroy)
3. The obliteration of the earth. This will not happen. Either by nuclear holocaust, meteor, super nova of the sun, over heating...or whatever end game scenario that can be conceived of. Christian belief and hope is that when Christ returns he will renew all things, remove the separation that now exists between heaven and earth, and dwell with man on this planet with animals and all the beautiful things that he created and that make it worth being good stewards of.
1 comment:
I also care about the earth because it humbles me and is such a good teacher. Isaiah said that the glory of the Lord filled the temple and the train of his robe filled the earth. I have not always seen the the glory of the Lord in the "temple" because man is celebrated there so often, but pure nature never fails to reveal him to me. Even a single sparrow hopping around the crumbs at Starbucks reminds me of obedience to the will of God. She can do no other than depend upon him and obey his will for her each day. The skies, the stars, the planets, the earth and her inhabitants, the waters in seas and rivers...all of it reminds me that the universe is continually following the course he set out for it. Only man resists the will of God, in uncountable ways, both personal and corporate--to his peril.
God sees it all and it is all recorded in his scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4, today's One Year Bible reading). People really should read the Bible, especially people like Mr. Madoff.
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