The Christian and the Environment

[Soulfyre]

What should the Christian's relationship to the environment be? Can we "Save the babies" AND "Save the whales"? What is the nature of our stewardship over...well...nature?

God bless and keep you and yours,

Matthew (soulfyre)

[melinky]

Soulfyre said:

What should the Christian's relationship to the environment be? Can we "Save the babies" AND "Save the whales"? What is the nature of our stewardship over...well...nature?

God bless and keep you and yours,

Matthew (soulfyre)

I think the Message translation says it best:

“ God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.””
(Gen. 1:26-28, MESSAGE)

I believe we have a responsibility to ALL of this world, to be a good steward and care for it. So far, we haven't done very well.

Melinda

[rgrove]

Soulfyre said:

What should the Christian's relationship to the environment be? Can we "Save the babies" AND "Save the whales"? What is the nature of our stewardship over...well...nature?

While my wife and I are die hard Republicans, we have never been satisfied that the party leadership has ever taken anything remotely resembling a Christian outlook on the environment. And too many Christians just follow the party line here so to speak. The key thing, as already mentioned, is that we are responsible before the God who created all these things, and us, for being good stewards of what he has given us. Christians should be the best environmentalists in the world because they value life and KNOW what their responsiblity is before their Creator with respect to what's been entrusted to us. It's extremely hard to find effective, CHRISTIAN BASED, environmental groups. I won't yoke myself with the vast majority of the environmental groups out there because their heathen world view is repulsive to me. We feel strongly about these things, as well as how animals are treated. My wife is big on that one especially. I pray to see Christians begin to take an aggressive role in these areas as Christians with a Christian worldview. On the Reformed Baptist email list the other day one of the members documented how Christians were once leaders in many "secular" areas of life (education, science, government, etc) and have abandonend these areas for the most part letting humanists take over leadership. Then we just snipe from the corners. Obviously, being Postmillenial in my outlook, I'm not happy about that and not satisfied to let it remain that way while there's breath in me... I'll betray my presuppositionalism as well and state categorically that it's a war of world views and there is NO neutral ground. So I'll continue to use my presuppositional flamethrower and burn out false worldviews where they are found.

In Christ,
Ron

[Alejandro]

We are to be good stewards. I am not sure who said that, but AMEN. (I think everyone has said it. ;D )

I feel that taking care of the environment is an essential part of walking a correct relationship with Yahweh. We cannot waste what God has called, 'good'. He said it was good! Why do most of us take it for granted? I love nature. I love the breeze that God allows to come over my house and my family. I live on a conversation lot, and I love the trees God has given me and my family to take care of.

In reponse to what Ron said:
It is extremely and utterly sickening to me that there are not any Christ-Centered groups in my area. I do my part, and so does my fellow community of Believers. Thinking about it has made me want to create our own group. My thoughts on animal treatment used to be a bit skewed. I was once a vegetarian, but in recent months God has been showing me somethings about why I choose what I did. I was trying to be a good steward, or at least that is what I told myself. But my actions were solely based in misinformation. Now, I only eat Kosher meats and dairy products. I think it is just as important that we take of animals as the plants, or our Family.

Don't get humanism confused with Christianity!

In the footsteps of Christ,
Alejandro