My uncle sent me something he received from a pastor at his church, and I just have to share it. It pretty much sums up everything that I believe in regarding the environment and my faith, and I'm excited to see my thoughts put into words. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
STEWARDSHIP AND EARTH WEEK 2010: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
There is a "great gulf fixed" between Christians over the extent to which we should be concerned about earth and the environment. As always, what should determine our approach to this controversial matter is not OUR OPINIONS, but rather, GOD'S WORD. If the "earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof" (Psalm 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:26), why should Christians have a blatant disregard for its preservation? Colossians 1:16 says:
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" ...KJV
If all things were created BY HIM and FOR HIM, shouldn't Christians be LEADING the way in our concern for HIS CREATION? You don't have to like Al Gore or believe his book An Inconvenient Truth, or believe that human beings are the ultimate cause of global warming. But as a Christian you should recognize God has entrusted the care of the earth to us (Gen 1:26), that we have not been doing a good job at it, and of whom much is given, much will be required. God has given us this task of stewarding His creation, and we need to do a better job of it.
In 1994, Chuck Colson wrote in his book The Body:
We should be contending for truth in every area of life. Not for power or because we are taken with some trendy cause, but humbly to bring glory to God. For this reason, Christians should be the most ardent ecologists. Not because we would rather save spotted owls than cut down trees whose bark provides lifesaving medicine, but because we are mandated to keep the Garden, to ensure that the beauty and grandeur God has reflected in nature is not despoiled. We should care for animals. Not because whales are our brothers, but because animals are part of God's kingdom over which we are to exercise dominion.
While the animal rights movement has gone to extremes, the fact is that God created us to be stewards of animals. He holds us accountable for how we treat them. "The godly care for their animals...." (Proverbs 12:10, NLT). We are caretakers for the animals, but they belong to God, not us: "For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine" (Psalm 50:10-11, NLT).
When it comes to concern for the environment, I have no interest in following conservatives or liberals. I am called to be a follower of Christ, no matter who that aligns me with on any given issue. I care about defending the unborn and the sanctity of marriage and the value of business, so some would consider me a conservative. I care about the poor and racial equality and the environment and humane treatment of animals, so some might label me a liberal.
I'm with Rick Warren who said, "I'm not left-wing or right-wing; I'm for the WHOLE BIRD!" Who cares about labels? Let's seek to follow the whole counsel of God and refuse to conform to the agenda of others. Just remember, on this Earth Day (April 22), your "re-cycling" can be an act of worship...not of the CREATION, but of the CREATOR!
Blessings,
Derwin Ward
Associate Pastor
Hamilton Christian Center
Hamilton, OH
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