Earth Day
Today, if you forgot, is Earth Day. I hope you remembered. It's a day to celebrate and do what we can to help the environment. I hear a lot of Chrisitans with the attitude like, "Who cares about Earth Day? We aren't going to live on earth forever." The world is going to burn up in the second judgment so why should I care or be concerned about Earth Day?
In Genesis 1:28 says, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" Genesis 2:15, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
In Revelation, we see that heaven is going to come down to earth. John says in Revelation 21:1-ff, "I then saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, come down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" More and more Biblical scholars are seeing God and heaven coming down to earth. The curse has been broken. It is the perfect Garden of Eden once again.
What do you believe? Do you think Earth Day is important? Why or why not? What can we do to make a difference on Earth Day? Have you or your church done anything to be more enviornmentally friendly (to use the terminology of today)? Have you heard any Earth Day sermons? If we don't hear enough earthday sermons? Why? Is there anything that you can teach your children or any traditions that you and your family can do for Earth Day? How can church leaders stress the importance of Earth Day more to their congregations? Are their any traditions or rituals that they can start to make Earth Day more important and be an example for the community? Does it seem that non-Chrisitans or the "un-churched" do more for Earth Day? Why? Shouldn't Christians set the example for the world? Is Earth Day just a load of hogwash? Is Earth Day just another way for "tree huggers" to exert liberal beliefs?
Should Earth Day not be a day for helping the earth so much as it should be a call to remember Adam's responsibilities?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 5:43:00 PM
38 Comments:
the word "hogwash" caught my eye and had me looking into it.
here is an example that being green can actually be "hogwash"...
"I read that there were concerns of all the waste they were dumping from the production of their ice cream, so Ben and Jerry found a pig farm that used the waste for food. This saved a lot of dumping into the water streams, and helped the local pig farmers with free pig slop. (Ironically, I believe that Ben and Jerry are vegetarians, but they are very concerned about being a good neighbor and felt this was a good solution anyway)."
this quote is actually from a article on a site that also sells zen sticks...but anyway here is where you can find the article that proves that being green can really and truly be pig slop.
http://www.sleepingtiger.org/articles/Good-Neighbors-and-Pig-Slop.htm
titled - good neighbors and pig slop.
We should be responsible and teach our children and grand children to good stewards of all that God has entrusted to them and us. However, it is also important to teach them not to buy into every fad that comes down the pike.
Of course there are exceptions but largely, those who champion being "green", accept Al Gore's version of climate change, and rant about animal rights, are not moved at the thought of an almost born human baby having its brains sucked out of its skull and then the body being disposed of just like any refuse.
Planet earth was spoken into existance by the God of heaven, it is kept by the power of God, and is far more resilient than the chicken littles of the world believe.
I am much more concerned about the moral decay of the planet that the physical upheaval some predict.
Royce Ogle
I agree that we need to be good stewards of all God has blessed us with...and teach that to our children as well.
Very thought provoking post preachman...
I appreciate your comment royce.
Yes, yes, yes. We were given this planet... for us. We should be good stewards of what we've been given.
You make some good points here. I think I'm not all that interested in Earth Day because of how fanatical so many liberals are about global warming, etc. I feel like I have to pay no attention to it just to balance out their fanatacism. Maybe that's not right, but that's how it is.
God bless!
We have to take care of the planet, regardless of our creed.
Thanks for the friendly comments. Do we share a mutual friend maybe?
In HIM*,
Alex
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIM_%28Finnish_band%29
(But God, too. We agree on him, and that's cool.)
The last time i hugged a tree was when the Bull chased me :)
oh and if we had not trashed the earth there would be no need for earth day! just my 2cents worth
Earth Day, eh? I think the old tired planet needs a little more than a day.
But then I guess we'll just keep taking from our future generation's trust funds - the resources this planet contains are finite.
The answer to our problems will not be found on the moon, or an asteroid - no, the answers will be found within - because it seems to me the real problem this planet is facing is greed.
Alex,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and I totally agree that we should take care of the earth no matter what creed we hold. Thanks for stopping by and it means a lot.
Think we should take care of the plannet and I agree with more than a day. We should do what we can everyday. Recycle. Plant a tree. Buy an enviornmental friendly car or ride our bikes more to work.
the earth is probably my favorite planet and even though it is going to burn up some day, we should be responsible. in NJ, recycling is mandatory.
also, my friend, former roommate/coworker in italy has a birthday on earth day. so I usually think of him, too.
Hello Kinney,
I pray today you are doing and feeling better.
It seems no topic is taboo to you. Good for you!
Earth Day means nothing to me.
Now that I have your attention, let me explain. I was brought up with a great appreciation for the gift of a planet made especially for mankind and to be ALWAYS THANKFULL to GOD for its blessings. I have worked the soil by the sweat of my brow, I have managed the livestock and wildlife that crawl upon the surface, and I have shaped its resources into beautifull dwellings. All this under the instruction of stewards. Our family has a ranch down in Southwest Texas, to most it's ugly rock and cedar trees, but to us it's the gorgeous creation of a Loving God. We do our best to manage it, it was the only ranch that was not over grazed in the drought of the 50's and it still shows today - you can actually tell the differance when you look across the fence at the nieghbors, proof that what we do today effects the tomorrows of many years.
Many others have so rightly mentioned that we must be good stewards of what has been given us. And so I agree with Mork, it is more than just a day (or week now). It is a lifetime of making good choices.
The problem I have with the whole Earth Day and Mr. Gore's Inconvenient Relative Truth is that it removes God from the equation totally. It states that man caused all this and ONLY man can fix it.
Being earth friendly is great, but being God thankfull is far better. Abel was able to give out of abundant flocks not because he free ranged his non-steroidal livestock, but because he was thankfull to God and offered Him the best out of his productivity that was blessed by God. Job remained faithful and he was blessed with ten fold his original amount of natural resources. We must remember that it is God that sends the rain in its due time and it is God that will allow this earth to last right up to the fulfillment of time, not forgetting to be good stewards until then. So if we shall boast let us not boast in the amount of recyclabls we placed in the ben, but in the God who blesses us with such great natural resources.
Let us do our part, but let us also be thankfull in EVERYTHING. Giving praise always to the one true God.
Steve V.
No suject is too taboo with on this blog. I love discussing just about everything. I hope that all people will have a heart for the earth and take care of it. There is so much that one can do to make a difference ride a bike to work, plant a tree or two with your kids, don't use chemicals in your garden, and on and on. We have a duty to help the earth and do what we can to take care of it. I know many ask the questions: How will the earth be when my children are raised, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. You and I can do what we can to make it a better enviornment for them.
Preacherman,
Thanks for discussing this topic. I think it is so important to take care of the earth. No matter what your religion. We all have to live here and breathe its air.
I think the trajectory of the Hebrew and NT points to heaven and earth "coming crashing into one another." The church is supposed to be the foreshadow/hint/reminder/preview of that day.
No more racism, sexism, classism in the church . . .why . . .? Because those barriers won't exist in the fullness of time.
Preacherman,
I really like your post and the comments. All of creation (all of it) is groaning, waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. It is sad that some take apocalyptic language wrongly and think that the present heaven and earth are disposable---like paper around fast food. This heavens and earth are going to be, not obliterated, but renewed and joined together forever without sin.
Good stewards of the earth--the church should be leading the charge, not Al Gore et al.
Kinney,
I hope you did not misunderstand the "taboo" comment. The only problem with keyboards is that they do not have intonation keys. I think it is wonderful that you are so open to discussing topics that some feel Christians should not get involved in. Keep up the good work!
God Bless
Steve V,
No I totally understood what you were saying brother. I love talking about issues that are on the edge, that are discussed much and will get lots of dialog going.
Good thoughts, everyone.
The idea of being a "good steward" sounds so "churchy", doesn't it? Not that I don't agree, just that being a "steward" isn;t a word I would readily use in other settings...
But, back to the topic at hand.
I think we should be thankful to God for the resources He provides us. That thankfulness is lived out by not being wasteful, and by respecting His creation.
Farmers and Ranchers such as Steve V. have my utmost respect.
I also agree with Royce - let's not get out of balance. One could find themselves overly concerned with the physical to the neglect of the spiritual and moral.
Just as the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath, perhaps the world and creation was made for man, not man for the creation.
Understand, that's not intended to be a license to abuse, just a balanced perspective.
I've never heard an Earth Day sermon. But I do try to do my part within the context of our church by reusing/recycling all of our sheet music rather than printing new copies every week!
Preacherman,
You got me thinking about doing an earth day sermon this weekend. I am sure my church has never heard one before and I will be the first pastor to deliver one to them. Thank you.
Hey there -- thanks for checking out my blog. You sure do have some interesting topics over here -- I'll be sure to check out your archives!
I did not know that you were posting on Earth Day. I posted a short scripture with a link to a good devotional about Earth Day on my blog yesterday. Keep up the good work, Preacherman Kinney!
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I forgot it was earth day. I don't think the media publiciazed it as much as they should.
As always there are a lot of good comments. I feel we must move beyond Earth day to an environmental theology. This theology will encompass GOD’s hand in creation, our call to care for the earth, a salvation that not just heals man but the world around us. There is rich teaching here. One that liberates and frees us to see ourselves as part of this wonderful universe laid out by the hand of he master.
I think such a theology exists within the pages of scripture. Many of us are too fearful to pull it out. One aspect of that fear is being seen as joining the radicals. This in my mind is baseless. We as Christian’s should be on the forefront of issues today not lagging behind. I remember when the AIDS crisis first appeared. Many Christians saw that as GOD’s judgment and did not get involved. As a result of this lack of interest radicals did indeed frame the debate for some time.
I love creation. It points to the Lord of all (Rom 1:20, Col 1:15-17). Lets care for the earth, take long walks, and enjoy a sunset.
i am into wind power, and recycling... glass, paper, cardboard, cans, car oil and newspaper etc. oregon is pretty good about these things.
reduce reuse recycle
i have neighbors that walk the nearby roads and pull bottles and cans out of the ditches as they walk...they can be turned in for the deposit.
like ben and jerry being good neighbors and feeding the hogs instead of pouring it into the river. everyone can think of something to do that can be good for their neighborhood. and if more people made just a couple of small changes...like maybe driving less and walking...or planting a tree...just imagine what a difference it could make.
what kind of earth friendly things are you into?
Right on preacher! Thanks for your post. In our sanitation district we have mandatory recycling. We separate what we can for recycling. We also set out two other cans in the garage for the kids to put aluminum cans in one and plastic bottles in the other. Once we get enough, we take them down and get cash money for them to put in their piggy banks. My Nana did this with me when I'd go visit her in the summer.
My struggle is that the ones carrying the green banner are too human-centered. Earth day for us (Christ-followers) should be God-centered... a discussion on the gift and responsibility given to us by God to be good care-takers of the things He's trusted us with.
Now whether or not climate change is anthropogenic... don't get me started. :-)
Jason
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We made some changes in our lifestyle, they were financially motivated, but it turns out they are good for the environment too.
We moved to within a few miles of both our jobs. We only have one car, so we carpool, but drive less than ten miles on the average day. We live within walking distance of one of the large shopping centers in our town as well, and unless we're buying a TV or are doing monthly grocery shopping (we do ours more regularly), we can walk and buy instead of driving.
Another thing we do: we just don't buy that much. I believe the best thing we can do for the environment is to stop buying so much stuff we don't need. After stuff loses its use or we decide to upgrade, where does the old thing go? Into the landfill. Going to having what we need, including not going on vacations (think about travel miles), not having multiple TVs, computers, JUNK! None of it's ours anyway, and when we're gone, it will be gone too.
Plus I work in a nursery, and we're "green", meaning we have lots of plants. hehehe
Tim,
Thanks for your story brother.
God bless, you, Jason and Dwayne.
I think school need to inform the kids at school and what they can thier family can do to improve the inviornment.
I think the church or other orginization need to inform our communities about earth day!!!!!!
Last night we talked at Bible class about earth day. I had a verious wide range of opinion.
I think we should preach more on this topic.
Anonymous,
You are right. There is rich teaching here. Lets preach it.
Excellent post and questions, Kinney.
I really need to work on this. I have to admit I'm far more concerned about economic and social justice worldwide than about pollution, though I think this pollution is just a part of the symptom of exploiting God's good gifts for our own advantage, rather than being good stewards of them.
Why should we Christians be a part at all of this goal "to protect our way of life"? When so many are starving? But there are no easy solutions, but to just say it's all about protecting America's interests seems to fly right in the face of the stewardship of earth and God's good gifts.
But I need to work on this.
Again good post and comments!
I think we should when we have earth day we should preach sermons on taking care of what God has blessed us with, the earth. He has put us over head over all the animals (land and sea). I think Revelation 21 tells us that heaven is going to be a new earth. The curse will be gone: no more tears, crying, sorrow, pain, etc. For things will be different. Preachers preach it and Preacherman preach it too!!!!
Ted,
You raise a good point. Do you think that environmental issues have an economic impact?
As the old saying in economics goes, "there is enough resources to meet our needs but not enough to meet our greed".
Good stuff bro. Your post and the comments got me thinking...how can communities of Christ-Followers (i.e., churches) take a lead role in fostering a healthy understanding and lifestyle that respects God's creative goodness? In other words, what practices could we develop that would make a powerful statement to the life that God has called us to?
How often do we talk about simplying, not just our individual lives, but our corporate, communal life together? What would we discontinue? What would we give up? In what ways would we experience God more fully?
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