Green and the Gospel (Christianity and the Environment)

  • Reid Monaghan
  • Nov 1, 2007
  • Series: Intersections

Environmental concern is an issue that has created sharp political debate and opinion as well as theological discussion about our role as human beings in God's creation. Listen to Reid's wrapup of our Intersection Discussion on this controversial topic.

You can go here to read the Scriptures, a few articles and an audio file we interacted with in preparation for our discussion...

Here is a brief outline of our wrap up time together:

A Christian Theological View of Environmental Concern

  1. That Creation is good and made by God - Who Made You? What Else Did God Make? All things...Why Did God Make You and All Things
  1. That Creation belongs to God
  • All things created by him and for him - Col 1:16
  • The Earth is the Lords and the Fullness thereof - Psalm 24:1
  • The universe is designed by God as a witness and testimony to him - Psalm 19
  1. That Human Beings are Called uniquely in all creation as stewards

The Imago Dei - Genesis 1-2, Psalm 8

  • Ontological - we have a certain make-up or constitution as human beings - emotions, intellect, will and spirituality
  • Functional - so that we can be and do
  • Relational - in relationship with God

Summary - We have emotions, intellect and will in order to function in service to God in relationship with him, in stewarding and ruling this world.

  1. Redemption includes - ALL THINGS - New Heavens and New Earth
  • All things - Ephesians 1:10, Col 1:20

Romans 8:18-25 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Concerns in the Contemporary Green Movement

Political Alarmism which eliminates dialog

  • Anthropogenic climate change...humans are causing the problem
  • Any other response is vilified - Research that indicates natural orbital cycles or solar phenomenon are dismissed. Mars is warming...
  • Meat Eaters as well as Car Drivers

Livestock are responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions as measured in carbon dioxide equivalent, reports the FAO. This includes 9 percent of all CO2 emissions, 37 percent of methane, and 65 percent of nitrous oxide. Altogether, that's more than the emissions caused by transportation.[1]

Alarmism on one side causes a response in the other side. We are all DEAD or Global Warming is a HOAX. Quote from Bjorn Lomberg

I point this out not to challenge the reality of global warming or the fact that it's caused in large part by humans, but because the discussion about climate change has turned into a nasty dustup, with one side arguing that we're headed for catastrophe and the other maintaining that it's all a hoax. I say that neither is right. It's wrong to deny the obvious: The Earth is warming, and we're causing it. But that's not the whole story, and predictions of impending disaster just don't stack up.[2]

Deification of nature - either in ideology or practice

Gaia Worship - Neo Paganism - earth as living being of which we are all one...

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Romans 1:18-25 ESV

Thinking that saving the planet is the gospel

God will renew all things...

  • Planting a tree is good - but Jesus dying on a tree for sinners and the redemption of all things is the gospel.
  • Salvation is by Grace through Faith in Jesus - not salvation through recycling
  • There will be a new heavens and new earth - but Human Beings will not make them...God will.

Reasons for followers of Jesus to Care and be Active

  1. Theological - Stewardship of the world
  2. Ethical - Moral Responsibility given by God
  3. Technological - impetus to create new solutions to problems using our minds and God given creativity and ingenuity
  4. Practical - It doesn't make the world a terrible place to reduce, reuse, recycle or drive a fuel efficient vehicle.
  5. Justice - Look not only to your own interests but the interest of others...pollution affects the poor.
  6. Missional - Loving our Neighbors who have deep environmental fears and concerns.

[1] From Humans' beef with livestock: a warmer planet - American meat eaters are responsible for 1.5 more tons of carbon dioxide per person than vegetarians every year. By Brad Knickerbocker | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor from the February 20, 2007 edition http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0220/p03s01-ussc.html

[2] Chill out. Stop fighting over global warming -- here's the smart way to attack it. By Bjorn Lomborg Sunday, October 7, 2007; B01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/05/AR2007100501676_pf.html