True Environmentalism is NOT nature worship!

When I began this journey to share what God says about creation, one of my friends, (who happens to be attending seminary for his Master's) wrote to me about his concerns when it comes to environmentalism. Before, I wasn't sure what I would say. Now using his email as a guide, I will explain how environmentalism is NOT nature worship.

Concern #1 Christians should be wary of anything the world gets excited about.

Even something as good as protecting the natural world can be twisted when something bad becomes an means to an end. For example, everyone in the world, even atheists will admit abortion is a bad thing. Even those that do not believe life begins in the womb can concede abortion should not exist. But when abortion is used as 'population control' in third world or developing countries, it's suppose to environmentally responsible. Instead, Christian environmentalists should teach abstinence. Clean up water supplies and responsible ways to use the land. Make these third world countries easier to live so that children won't be an issue. But our world scoffs at such suggestions opting for the easy way out.

That's why I have my concerns about the 'green' movement. It's why I started this blog. If God sent me to college to study fashion for any reason, I did learn about trends and fads. I hate to say it, but I believe that if we Christians leave environmentalism to the world, it will be nothing but a fad. To the world, green is the new black. Tomorrow it may very well be all about excess. What do you think the eighties were about? People will tire of the effort. That is why Christians should rise up and become the stewards of creation God wants us to be. What better way to show the world God's love and present the living gospel?

Concern #2 The Alarmist Theories

When I was a kid, I watched 'Captain Planet and the Planeteers'. I loved that show. It was all about five kids with rings containing the powers of the earth, saving the earth from greedy 'eco-villains' and an awesome superhero they could summon when their powers combined and who was only weaken by pollution. And it did help me learn about protecting the planet from pollution. When I heard it was in reruns on Cartoon Network, I began to watch it again. Now that I'm an adult, I'm struck by two things. One...the show was really corny at first and was only good the very last few years and during the five minutes Captain Planet got airtime. Two, the animators shoved a lot of alarmist theories down kids throats. A lot of shows dealt with time travel and alternate realities and what would happen if this animal would die out or if that land was bulldozed or if we got another Chenobel. Most of the time the picture was bleak.

The problem is that Christians are promised eternity.

John 3:16-17 (NRSV)
'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but they have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.'

Everyone knows verse 16. They hold it up at professional wrestling after all. But verse 17 is often overlooked. It shuts down alarmists because it is God's promise to save the earth. And God keeps His promises. Yes Revelations predicts the earth will be a fireball after Jesus' second coming, but it also talks about God restoring creation to what He had in mind when He first created the world. Can you imagine living in the creation God originated? We may get to see creatures that have since become extinct. And in Matt. 6: 25-33, Jesus tells us not to worry. That He sustains His creation. Isn't that awe inspiring?

Concern #3 Naturalism
'1: action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts 2: a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance ; specifically : the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena' (Webster's Dictionary)

Science has given us many wonderful things. But when the wonder of creation is explained away by scientific theory, and faith is ridiculed, the whole concept of protecting our planet loses meaning. How can some people not see the Creator in nature? They are not taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's why I think Environmentalists are prime and ready to hear about Jesus. The people who spend their lives trying to save the earth know something is special about it. They try to save it for their children. Why? If there is no Creator why worry if your children will live with pollution? We're all going to die anyway. By acknowledging a Savior, we acknowledge this world and all that is in it is God's. To try to explain it with science alone, it is denying God's power. It is a rejection of Him. Pure and simple. Christians are turned off to environmentalism because it is so often associated with naturalism which is tied with alarmism. But we have the Almighty God on our side. We should fight fire with fire and declare to the world that taking care of the planet is a calling from the Creator.

Concern #4 Idolism

Ever since the fall of man, humans have denied God by worshiping idols. In the bible it was statues of gold and wood. Today, it is TV and celebrities and presidents and...animals? Yes since the 'green' movement, protecting animals seems to be of major concern. That is another reason Christians are so reserved when it comes to environmentalism. Animals have become so overvalued in our society, people give up eating animal products, throw blood on the runways that use real fur and Pamela Anderson threw on a bikini made out of lettuce leaves. Christians claim dominion, the world claims animal rights. Yes, we should not make coats out of critters since it is no longer a necessity to keep warm, but we do have dominion over animals thanks to Gen 1:28. God gave us animals so that we may use them as we need them. Everything else is over kill. I know I won't be giving up Kentucky Fried Chicken anytime soon.

So in conclusion, to be a Christian environmentalist, you have to find the balance between dominion and stewardship. We have to respect nature because God created it. But we can't worship nature. We have to worship God.