I was reading an interesting article in the paper over the weekend that got me thinking, so I thought I'd post that on here. One issue that has apparently been coming up some lately is that of what is our duty as Christians with regard to the environment.
On the one hand, there are those who put a lot of emphasis on this issue and elevate it above others. They see our calling to be a good steward of the environment to mean that it's our duty to do all that we can to protect the environment, even when it's at a cost to some other priorities and could have a hurtful effect on the economy. Alternatively, there are those who really don't give a flip about the environment- the view that since the world is passing away, what we do to it doesn't matter anyway. So, from that viewpoint, doing things to protect the environment really aren't big priority issues.
I guess I'd fall in the middle on this issue. If the Bible tells us to be good stewards of the environment, I think we need to do what we can to be obedient. There are a lot of things that we can be doing on a regular basis that won't really cause a whole lot of hardship that can be ways of obeying this command. However, I have a problem with elevating this issue (or most others for that matter) above a concern for evangelism. Yes, we are called to protect the environment, but if we are putting so much effort into these efforts that we lose sight of our greater calling, then I think we're missing the point. People without Christ are dead and without hope; it's our responsibility to share with them the hope that has changed us. I don't think environmental policy, prayer in schools, gay marriage, etc. are worth forsaking our personal ministry for. I also have a problem with the more extreme approaches to protecting the environment which end up hurting the economy. Perhaps we need to make some adjustments in the way we do things to protect the economy, but I think going to the extreme where we are causing major hardships to business is taking a bit too far.
-JRO
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6 comments:
Don't forget that we hope to have many many more generations to evangelize to. I want to leave the world as beautiful as we can. Not only that but the world is God's creation and we need to respect it. I'm not advocating walking everywhere and only eating leaves. I love steak and it's too hot not to drive with an air conditioner. However, we should recycle and walk when possible. We should lobby the government to work on alternative fuels which can fuel the economy as well especially if we aren't the last ones to jump on the bandwagon.
Andrea, in response to your question:
It seems as if some of the more extreme environmentalists go a little too far with things like limiting greenhouse gas emissions, cutting down on fuel usage, etc. Now I have no problem with doing some of this stuff within reason. However, it seems to me as if some people would protect the environment at such a great cost that it wouldn't seem to matter if it had a significantly detrimental effect on the economy. I suppose it's a matter of striking a balance between the two goals.
On a similar note, I also am not a big fan of government getting too involved in this (or most other things for that matter). I think we as consumers need to take the lead through our consumption habits, as opposed to relying on government to regulate it. And, yes I am a businessman and I am a conservative... however I think a lot of today's Republicans aren't real conservatives anymore.
I agree Jamie. (We Jamies seem to agree alot on things!! :-P)
I agree that the concerns for the environment, while incredibly important in and of themselves, are minor in comparison to our great commission. It seems that this day and age we as a nation of humanity are letting what God would consider minor issues to turn our heads from what God has called us to do.
I agree with Elizabeth in that I want my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren after them to live in a world as beautiful or more so as it is today. We are allowing things like deforestation and pollution to be excused, which is wrong, both logically (we still have to live on the planet messed up or clean) and morally, how can we trash a thing so beautiful as the creation God has given to us? However, I feel that Jamie has made and incredibly powerful point. Where do we draw the line? Yes, the environment must be protected, but, we must also not allow this to become a larger issue thing what God has called us to do.
It is our obligation to protect this world that God has given to us, but to focus on the trees, the flowers, the birds, while all proclaim His glory is not what we have been commissioned to do. We are to look to our fellow men and show them the beauty that is God, to save them from eternal death and bring them into the fullness of what God has for us as a Christian nation. Our job is to save as many as we can from darkness, to show them the beauty that is around us. Its like Louie Giglio said, If the environment, if the universe is here solely for the purpose of glorifying God in all His greatness, then they serve their purpose profoundly, taking care of them is our responsibility, not our lifes mission.
i think God would rather we as Christians take care of the environment, the world He gave us, then to give tax breaks to the rich.
In response to the anonymous poster:
Well, first of all, I really would appreciate if you would tell us who you are.
Nowhere on here did I disagree with the fact that we should care for the environment. In fact, I do think that we need to do our part in being good stewards of the environment.
I also don't see how protecting the environment and tax cuts are at odds with each other. They seem to me like two totally different issues that aren't at odds, so I'm a little curious as to how you see those two as competing priorities.
Nevertheless, I think in terms of tax cuts, environmental protection, etc., we do also need to be mindful of the economy. In a capitalist society, people depend on the economy to provide for their families. If we act in such a way that hurts the economy, then you have to wonder if we've really accomplished much.
In response to Andrea-
You make a really good point- it is hard to motivate people to do something. We are basically selfish creatures, and most aren't really going to desire to do something unless they see what's in it for them. I guess that's where stuff like tax breaks for driving hybrid vehicles, curbside recycling pickup, etc. come in. Those are ways to provide some incentive or to make it easier for people to do things that benefit the environment. I think these can be effective ways to help give people an extra push without having the government mandate things like recyling or gas consumption.
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