Last week John Ortberg gave a really amazing sermon at MPPC on the topic Is God Green? I found this really inspirational because it was original, profound, and well connected two areas of thought which often are quite separate: Christianity and Environmentalism. You might even say that in popular culture they’re often opposed. A lot of conservatives, who claim to be religious, tend to reflexively oppose any efforts to protect the Environment, for these interfere with their worship of the almighty $$$. A lot of Environmentalists are fairly derisive of religion, viewing it as opposed to science and progress. Exemplifying this dichotomy, John by starting his sermon with pointing to an influential paper published in the sixties arguing that Christianity created a historical break in the thinking of man’s place in nature in that it argued that God had created the earth primarily for the benefit of people, and that therefore it only existed to be exploited by people, and had no other value.
John then proceeded to give a fascinating tour through the bible illustrated with many quotes showing that this is a quite incorrect interpretation. In fact in many places the Bible clearly states that the entire universe is the work of God, and belongs to God, and that therefore it’s the responsability of humans to take care of it. In fact, the special role of humans as those creatures made in God’s image is in fact to be stewards of God’s creation. I found that to be quite an inspiring insight. That being a good Christian requires us to be a good Environmentalist and vice-versa.
It made me think that one of the bad habits of our society is that we create false dichotomies and false conflicts, because there are those who try to profit from creating conflict, whether economically or politically. Why do we always have to choose one or the other? In particular, it’s more and more clear to me that the word of the Bible is in very close accord with every other objective view of the universe. Recent historical and archeological work have more and more confirmed the fairly impressive accuracy of much of the old testament as a historic document. When you look closely at the findings of modern Science, and the ethical implications of science, it also is in close accord with the Biblical message. Some say that creation and evolution are in opposition. But how so? Aren’t all the natural laws simply proof of the work God in all places and times? What we call Science is nothing but our observation of the continuous presence of God’s work around us. And in that sense too the Environmentalist’s dedication to the planet is not, or should not, be some act of pagan worship, but really a manifestation of respect and care for God’s creation. So we shouldn’t let ourselves be distracted by false divisions, but keep focused on the ONE thing.
Hmm, I’m sorry, something got cut off in my prior comment.
To finish, I once had a neighbor insist that she would not separate the recyclables from the trash as long as our local waste management company charged for pick-up. I asked her about stewardship over the earth, and the role she is asked to play in that, and she became testy.
Remembering that moment has unnerved and perplexed me for a few years now.
Nice to hear your voice on this. I’ll print it out and have my husband read it.
-K
Great thoughts Tom, thanks for sharing this and for all of your writing