Christians & The Environment

Gen 2:15 And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. After forming man God placed man in the garden, with the command to to tend and guard and keep it. Now I am not getting into an argument of how to interpret Genesis, is it literal or figurative. I dont care either way (literal or figurative) there is a Spiritual truth being set forth as a primary responsibility delegated to man by God to care for his environment and responsibly reap the benefits of that environment. The fact is we (humankind) have done a pretty good job of raping the land and trashing the planet. Christian concern for our environment i.e. the Earth, is not a politically liberal or conservative issue. It is not a liberal or conservative religious issue. Yes, for the most part, we divide ourselves along these lines, and make alliances with folks based on what we perceive as our most crucial issues, and make compromises along the way in order to maintain our political and religious alliance. In doing so some issues and concerns take a back seat and ultimately are neglected, even to the point of being forgotten or devalued as even being of any importance. As a Christian issue care for the environment has become such. Within conservative fundamental Christian religious thinking, care for the environment and our responsibility to our planet is not a new issue. Francis Schaeffer wrote extensively about this in the late seventies. At this same time he also was at the forefront of educating fundamental evangelicals of the theological implications and very real horrors of abortion. Working with C. Everett Koop, in their film and book What Ever Happened to the Human Race, the Evangelical community became a political force in opposition to the abortion rights movement. Prior to this time, abortion (as far as most evangelicals and fundamentalists were concerned) was a Catholic issue. I even remember hearing a comment by Jimmy Carter while running for president concerning an answer he gave to two Catholic Nuns about his position on abortion his comment to a colleague was Ill give them a little tickle. Francis Schaeffer was about as religiously conservative as you can find, educated at Westminster Theological Seminary under professors like Cornelius Van Til. Yet, in his writings developed over years of conversations with young travelers hostelling through Europe, a theology of responsibility to the environment was unfolding. We I speak as an evangelical (and as much as it hurts, a fundamentalist) have allowed ourselves to be caught up in the anti-abortion conservative values political machine. We tout our Biblical centricity and then dismiss whatever fails to find a proper place in our

boxed fundamentalist theological construct. The truth is the Bible deals with a lot of issues and our world and the effects of sin on our world. We choose to neglect these things in preference to some very valid issues, but, we neglect them just the same. The environment is a responsibility we inherit regardless of how much past generations have trashed it. The abortion issue ultimately is no more of an issue than the environmental issue. Neglecting either is equally sin. I am not saying (forgive the imperfect analogy) a baby seal is of more value than a human fetus. I am saying neglecting our responsibility to either is sin. We have found it more comfortable, more reasonable - to deal with the convenient ones. What can I do? Simply RECYLING - Conserving I do those. What else is there to do? Getting involved - Knowing whats going on in this world. Being aware of the major environmental issues and doing something about them. one thing you can do is simply get out and enjoy nature and that will lead you to opportunities. Use the preserves that may be in your area. You can volunteer for conservation organizations like The Nature Conservancy or the Audubon Society. And to go even further you can talk to the local government about your concerns. A few years ago (actually about 15), as I realized my sons were getting older and would soon seek there own interests; I began taking them on canoe float trips. The Monocacy River, Potomac River, local creeks. Antietam Creek was one of our favorites (remember the battle of Antietam that one). These waterways embody a lot of American History. I could go into a lot of description but that is not the point right now. There are sections of these waterways that are absolutely gorgeous. Then you are faced with the refuse of civilization. Trash dumped indiscriminately, industrial discharges, over farmed and unmanaged farm fertilizers and pesticides ultimately draining into streams, creeks and rivers. I have since become aware of groups that annually float these water ways specifically to police and clean up these areas. It doesnt happen all at once, but progress is made over time. Pressure is brought to bear on polluters. Some issues must be dealt with collectively, as there are no individuals that may presently be held accountable. This means organizing, educating the public of the need and benefits and becoming engaged politically. This is not just a Christian issue, weve just been slow to recognize it and accept

responsibility. It is not overtly evangelistic, or necessarily religious, but I certainly believe it is God honoring. And if I remember my Westminster Larger Catechism lets see oh yesQ. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, (Rom 11:36; 1Cor 10:31) and fully to enjoy him forever. (Ps 73:24-28; John 17:21-23). For some reason I cant seem to separate the honoring and glorifying God from being responsible for and enjoying God in the creation He has given us. Maybe its just me.