Jun 8

Written by: tim
6/8/2010 3:03 PM 

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 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." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.    Genesis 1:26-31 (NIV)

The recent, or should I say current, oil spill in the gulf has more than captured the headlines in the news.  Pictures of birds and fish covered in oil break my heart.  The impact on the families that lost loved ones on the rig are permanent and they are painful.  Some blame President Obama, others BP and still others blame President Bush.  One site had a feature where you could see how big the oil spill would be if it happened where you live.  If ever there was an event that symbolizes the mess of humanity, this is it.

I've never been a "granola", tree-hugger or anything resembling a passionate and eccentric "save our planet" person.  In fact the rhetoric often shared in evangelical churches is something like, "Well it's all gonna burn in the end anyway."  Now, I do believe that this earth has a shelf life as ordained by God.  I do believe there will come a day of His judgment and until that day comes, that this planet is sufficient to feed and house every single person.  I am not, repeat not, freaking out that we will destroy the earth before Christ returns. 

I also don't believe that the promise of Christ's return condones or justifies us treating creation like a bachelor pad.  I believe that we are called to be stewards of the gift he has give us.  Genesis 1:26-31 talks about God giving us the plants and animals and granting us "rule over them".  God has blessed us with the command to "fill the earth and subdue it."  I think that I understand the idea of "dominion" and "subdue the earth" quite well; I am warmed and fed on a daily basis because we have subdued the earth.  I consider hunters, fishermen, farmers, and loggers as friends and vital to our society.  Prudence must be practiced.  God has provided us this home in perfect approximation to the Sun with conditions suitable for living in.  Our home is not only functional but beautiful!  Mountains, oceans, plant life, animals and every combination imaginable surrounds us.  There is no lack of creativity in creation! 

How do we as Christians respond to disasters like the oil spill?  Are we supposed to be "green" as followers of Jesus?

I think the answer to both questions is "yes".  Yes we respond to the oil spill.  Yes we should look for ways to be better stewards of our home.  The difference between us and the stereotypical "green peace" member is that we are responding out of love and obedience to our Creator, we are not serving or worshipping the earth.  I am a child of the Most High God and as such I am grieved and saddened when our actions, even my actions contribute to the reality we are witnessing.

Accidents happen and will continue to happen so for me this comes down to daily choices.  I have been granted stewardship of the earth, well at least my portion of it, I will make the same choices many of you are:

1) Be frugal with my resources

2) Recycle, recycle, recycle

3) Consider fuel economy as a high priority in vehicle purchases (good for the bank account too)

4) Generally leave the place in such a condition so that my children, grandchildren and the rest of my descendents don't suffer as a result of my carelessness.