{"id":22017,"date":"2016-03-28T17:39:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-28T17:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/creation-care-as-discipleship\/"},"modified":"2016-03-28T17:39:14","modified_gmt":"2016-03-28T17:39:14","slug":"creation-care-as-discipleship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/creation-care-as-discipleship\/","title":{"rendered":"Creation Care as Discipleship"},"content":{"rendered":"

What has God called you to do? In this chapter from Your Call to Work & Mission: Following Jesus 24\/7<\/em>, Lois Olena shows why and how followers of Jesus should participate in caring for the creation God has made.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s Sunday morning, and your adult class welcomes the day\u2019s speaker. She steps up to the microphone and begins talking about the environment. The \u201cE\u201d word! \u201cOh my,\u201d you wonder, \u201cIs this church turning liberal? Has it started down the path of political correctness that will lead to new age, tree-hugging, nature worship\u2014against which the Bible warns\u201d (Rom. 1:25).<\/p>\n

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Image: Tim Swaan<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You cringe as the speaker continues on about the state of the earth. She shares statistics about air and water pollution, water scarcity, the destruction of rainforests, global warming, and desperate polar bears. Your mind questions, \u201cIsn\u2019t this just propaganda?\u201d She goes on about the state of our oceans and waterways, biodiversity issues, habitat destruction, extinction of species, depletion of the ozone layer, and more.<\/p>\n

Overwhelmed, your head swims, and your blood pressure rises. \u201cWhat can I do about all this?\u201d You think, \u201cBesides, isn\u2019t the earth going to just burn up anyhow at the end of days?1<\/sup> What difference will it make if I recycle in the face of such massive global problems?\u201d You let out a quiet sigh and find yourself wishing this class would focus on something relevant <\/em>to living as a disciple of Jesus.<\/p>\n

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“Creation Care as Discipleship” by Lois E. Olena is chapter 12 in Stephen Lim, ed., Your Call to Work & Mission: Following Jesus 24\/7 Whole-Life Discipleship<\/i> (AGTS, 2015). Available from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary online bookstore<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Too often these questions characterize the Christian approach to what has traditionally been called \u201cenvironmentalism.\u201d Believers have approached the topic of care for the earth with doubt and confusion. How we answer such questions, however, depends on the extent to which we can understand the why <\/em>of God\u2019s call to steward creation and how <\/em>to do so.<\/p>\n

Why Should Christians Care for Creation?<\/strong>2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Believers should care about creation because of what is happening to it. But even more important for Christians is what God\u2019s Word says about it. Let\u2019s look at both reasons.<\/p>\n

Environmental Realities<\/em><\/p>\n

It only takes a few moments of searching the Internet using phrases such as, \u201cstate of the environment,\u201d \u201cglobal warming,\u201d or \u201cpollution,\u201d in order to see the earth\u2019s \u201cgroanings\u201d written about so long ago by the Apostle Paul (Rom. 8:22). Although various political, scientific, and religious groups differ on the causes <\/em>of these realities\u2014most contemporary environmental maladies are easily recognizable as crises in need of increased human awareness, cooperation, and action in order to improve global health.3<\/sup> Global realities require that we tend to the earth if creation is to avoid continuing damage and thrive as God intended. To show no concern for these environmental realities, notes biblical scholar Christopher J. H. Wright, is \u201cto be either desperately ignorant or irresponsibly callous.\u201d4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Biblical Principles<\/em><\/p>\n

Environmental plight, however, is not the only reason for believers to care for creation. Christ-followers must know the scriptural basis for doing so, which will guide our obedience to God. Caring for the earth and caring for the needs of the inhabitants of the earth both play a role in following Jesus in living out God\u2019s missional plan of world redemption, since both the earth and its inhabitants\u2014according to Romans 8\u2014will experience that ultimate redemption one day. This section examines four key features of the biblical foundation for creation care.<\/p>\n

God as Creator<\/em><\/p>\n

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Image: Andreas R\u00f8nningen<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The biblical basis for creation care begins with God as Creator. The Psalmist writes that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord (Ps. 24:1). God\u2014the Father (Gen. 1:1), Son (Col. 1:16), and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2)\u2014created everything, and (even before the creation of humans) pronounced as good all that He had made (Gen. 1:4, 10, 13, 18, 21, 25). Its goodness was not simply because of its usefulness for humans, but because God<\/em>, who is himself good, pronounced His work to be good<\/em>. He then commanded Adam and Eve (and all humanity after them) to serve and care for what He had made (2:15). In this, the Supreme Ruler of the universe mandated that people, as His hands and feet on earth, would nurture what flows from His power, love, and creativity.<\/p>\n

Command to Stewardship<\/em><\/p>\n

God commanded fruitfulness not only of Adam and Eve but all <\/em>creation. He called the waters to teem with living creatures, the skies to be full of birds, the creatures to increase in number, and the land to produce (Gen. 1:20\u201324). Adam was to enjoy creation for food (v. 29) and to \u201crule\u201d over it (vv. 26, 28). The King James Version translates this word as \u201cdominion,\u201d which sadly many people have interpreted as domination<\/em>, resulting in careless destruction of creation. Instead, it involves the \u201cworking and serving\u201d and \u201ckeeping and caring\u201d principles of Genesis 2:15. But this role given to humankind is not only that of a gardener; it also entails a priestly role. We \u201chave been placed within the creation to mediate God\u2019s presence, embody God\u2019s posture, and enact God\u2019s purposes in the earth.\u201d5<\/sup><\/p>\n

Honoring God as Supreme over Creation<\/em><\/p>\n

Creation care matters because it provides a means for loving and serving God and others.<\/strong><\/em><\/div>A biblical view of creation care is not only founded on the goodness of God and His creation and His command to steward it, but also the call to honor God as supreme over <\/em>creation. Psalm 8 proclaims God\u2019s name as \u201cmajestic . . . in all the earth\u201d and His glory as \u201cabove the heavens\u201d (v. 1). He has ordained that all creation, the heavens, the work of His fingers, and the moon and stars that He has set in place (v. 3) would bring Him glory, pointing humanity toward Him. The Psalmist places everything in its proper place; God is supreme over creation, but He has made human beings, a little lower than the angels (v. 5), to rule over the works of God\u2019s hands: \u201cYou put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas\u201d (vv. 7\u20138).<\/p>\n

If creation itself is to give glory to God (Psa. 8:1), then humans too must view God himself<\/em>\u2014not the created entities<\/em>\u2014as divine and worthy of worship. Creation is sanctified <\/em>(made holy, set apart for God\u2019s use). However, it is not divine<\/em>, as some have said, resulting in worshipping the earth (Rom. 1:21\u201325).<\/p>\n

On the contrary, Christians need to reclaim creation care as God<\/em>-initiated and God<\/em>-guided, from Genesis to Revelation.6<\/sup> Ethicist David Gushee urges believers to reclaim this responsibility:<\/p>\n

In the face of the charge that Christians and Christianity bear grave responsibility for our environmental crisis, we dare not simply move into a sulk of defensiveness. We must instead claim the profound resources for creation care that have been there from the very beginning in Scripture. We must tell our own story more adequately, understand our own holy texts more profoundly.7<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Telling their own story is precisely what Evangelicals have been learning to do in recent decades as their scholarship, networking, and resourcing of the body of Christ for creation care continues to flourish.<\/p>\n

God Will Redeem the Created Order<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"A fourth biblical principle of creation care comes from Colossians 1. Through His death, Christ not only reconciles humankind to God, but all things\u2014including creation itself. All things will be reconciled, \u201cwhether things on earth or things in heaven\u201d (v. 20). Paul describes this redemption of the created order in Romans 8. Creation itself \u201cwaits in eager expectation\u201d (v. 19) for the final day when it will be \u201cliberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God\u201d (v. 21). Creation has been \u201cgroaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time\u201d (v. 22) along with humans who \u201cwait eagerly\u201d (v. 23) for the final redemption of their bodies.<\/p>\n

Since all things are to be reconciled ultimately through Christ, we should not be surprised that God\u2019s Word condemns the ruin of creation and calls for its restoration. As disciples, we imitate the One participating in creation restoration (making all things new, Rev. 21:5). We can learn to set aside greed, which exploits and degrades the earth, and instead practice contentment along with nurturing attitudes and behaviors.<\/p>\n

Opportunities to Love and Serve<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Followers of Jesus Christ must view creation care as more than simply an interesting topic of biblical and theological study, a good cause to believe in, or a culturally astute response. They must understand fundamentally that creation care matters8<\/sup> because it provides a means for loving and serving God and others. Let\u2019s look at four ways this can take place.<\/p>\n

Walking in Thankful Obedience<\/em><\/p>\n

Through God\u2019s design, the earth gives to people, and people have opportunity to give back by treating it right. Calvin B. DeWitt9<\/sup> describes provisions God has made for creation: energy exchange, soil building, cycles of the biosphere, water purification and detoxification, the abundance of life in all its species and habitats, the fabric of energy relationships (such as photosynthesis), global circulations of water and air, and\u2014one of the most wonderful provisions\u2014the ability of humans to learn <\/em>from creation. In this and more, He has given us the \u201cbook\u201d of His world, by which we can build \u201cmental models of all aspects of creation\u2014from atoms to plants to habitats to the cosmos.\u201d10<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"\"Both the book of His world and the book of His Word help propel humans toward meaningful life. As children of God, and in all we do as worship to God (Rom. 12:1; Col. 3:17), we can express our thankfulness to Him by caring for all He has provided. As Wright notes, \u201cOur treatment of the earth reflects our attitude to its Maker and the seriousness (or otherwise) with which we take what he has said about it.\u201d11<\/sup> Jesus said, \u201cIf you love me, you will keep what I command\u201d ( John 14:15). God has commanded that His children treat His creation well; doing so provides an opportunity to demonstrate obedient love to Him.<\/p>\n

Participating in God\u2019s Redemptive Mission<\/em><\/p>\n

Second, creation care provides an opportunity for believers to lovingly obey God\u2019s mandate to participate in His redemptive mission. This, says Wright, involves \u201cnot only the salvation of human beings but also the redemption of the whole creation.\u201d12<\/sup> This work begins now but has its ultimate fulfillment (Psa. 96:10\u201397:6; Rom. 8:18\u201325) in a future day, as all things are reconciled to Christ (Col. 1:20). Meanwhile, as we wait for that day, God, who owns all things (Deut. 10:14), has authorized us to work out His mission here on the earth, the \u201cgrand arena within which the Bible\u2019s grand narrative [of redemption] takes place.\u201d13<\/sup><\/p>\n

God desires that all people (Psa. 29:1\u20132) and all creation (Psa. 91:1) would bring Him glory. But just as unredeemed humans cannot fully reveal God\u2019s glory, neither can degraded creation. Conversely, humanity touched by God\u2019s redemptive hand brings glory to Him, as does creation properly cared for. To engage in that process puts us in a place where we can obediently participate with God in what He has begun to do and will ultimately do, for His glory. As we care for the earth and nurture its fullness, we work toward the redemptive mission of showing God\u2019s glory throughout all the earth.<\/p>\n

Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable<\/em><\/p>\n

A careless attitude by God\u2019s children toward His creation is poor testimony to those who do not yet know Him.<\/strong><\/em><\/div>Third, creation care provides a way for believers to love and serve God by loving and serving those He has created in His image\u2014especially the most vulnerable. Just as care for our body and spirit impacts the quality of our entire being, so too, care for the earth impacts the quality of human life and contributes to overall planetary flourishing. The health of the earth directly impacts the health of its inhabitants. Often poor environmental conditions contribute to great suffering for the earth\u2019s young and poor.<\/p>\n

The Evangelical Environmental Network has several resources that raise awareness about these issues, such as how elemental mercury impacts the unborn14<\/sup> and how climate change impacts the poor15<\/sup> and vulnerable.16<\/sup> Noah J. Toly and Daniel I. Block vividly describe this connection:<\/p>\n

If the process of global warming continues, many millions living in coastal regions will be driven from their homes by rising ocean waters caused by melting ice and thermal expansion of the seas. Unless we address the problems of overcrowding and lack of sanitation in many of the world\u2019s cities, premature death will rob their citizens of life; disease, poverty and unemployment will continue to dehumanize them and rob them of their dignity. Unless we manage the earth\u2019s . . . resources well, . . . millions . . . created in God\u2019s image will die prematurely.17<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mike Tenneson, biology professor at Evangel University, describes how everything in an ecosystem has the potential to impact human life: \u201cClean water, fertile soil and wholesome food are necessary for sustaining healthy communities. Even small acts of environmental stewardship can affect human populations.\u201d18<\/sup> For instance, seeming insignificant plants have led to the discovery of lifesaving medicines. Allowing or causing their extinction would have been our loss.<\/p>\n

Thus, in stewarding creation we care not only for our own needs but our families\u2019 and global neighbors\u2019 needs. As we realize how environmental issues impact the poor and vulnerable, and as we work to address those issues, we show God\u2019s heart for their holistic flourishing in the earth\u2014body, mind, soul, and spirit. This allows justice to \u201croll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream\u201d (Amos 5:24). In that way, creation care becomes truly an integral part of the Great Commandment and whole-life discipleship.<\/p>\n

Cultivating a New Perception of Christianity<\/em><\/p>\n

Disciples of Jesus will love God and others (the Great Commandment, Luke 10:27) and bring the good news of God\u2019s redemption to all peoples (the Great Commission, Matt. 28:18\u201320). But often, people passionate about the health of the planet and its plants and animals\u2014but who do not know the Creator\u2014may lack opportunity to cross paths with Christians with \u201cgood news,\u201d only Christians who oppose their beliefs.<\/p>\n

Creation care offers Christians a fourth opportunity to love and serve others. By cultivating a changed perception of Christian faith in the minds of their neighbors, believers can help open their hearts to the gospel. With regard to the environment, the only notion some people have of Christians is that they believe the earth is going to \u201cburn up\u201d anyhow and that they are on our way to heaven, so all that \u201cenvironmental stuff\u201d doesn\u2019t matter. Such a careless attitude by God\u2019s children toward His creation, however, is poor testimony to those who do not yet know Him.19<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"\"Christians need to properly understand what the Bible really says about the earth and then respond to that renewed awareness. Involved in creation care, they will undoubtedly rub shoulders with new-agers, pagans, nature worshippers, atheists, pantheists, and others who need to see Christians and Scripture in a better light. As others experience gracious, loving, careful, obedient, Christ followers stewarding God\u2019s creation, they too may be drawn to the Creator by the Spirit of God. Showing the biblical basis of creation care will help pre-Christians see God\u2019s intent for the world and help diminish the bad image of Christians ready to abuse the earth because of its supposed future annihilation.<\/p>\n

Christian participation in cooperative ventures with pre-Christian environmentalists will help build friendships and trust. Through this interaction, believers can share their faith and communicate that the reason they care for the earth is directly related to who <\/em>God is, His desire for humankind, how <\/em>He participates in the world, and where <\/em>we can find ourselves in that plan. Caring for what God cares for demonstrates what an obedient disciple looks like\u2014thoughtful, considerate, understanding of the earth, and not antithetical <\/em>to science but valuing <\/em>the partnership between faith and science. Such Christians can gain a voice with those who might otherwise write off the Christian faith.<\/p>\n

Knowing why <\/em>we should value creation care is just the first step. Knowing how <\/em>to care for creation is the next.<\/p>\n

Practical Steps to Care for Creation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first decade of the twenty-first century has seen what some have called \u201cthe greening of Evangelicals,\u201d20<\/sup>\u2014a proliferation of creation care awareness through statements,21<\/sup> organizations,22<\/sup> conferences, initiatives, and the development of resources. Some view this upsurge as a fad, a means for political correctness, or even a diabolical distraction from the focus of the Great Commission.<\/p>\n

However, I believe God has raised up individuals for such a time as this, to remind Christians of biblical principles that have existed in Scripture from the beginning. In 1970, decades before the current Evangelical involvement in creation care, Francis Shaffer wrote Pollution and the Death of Man: The Christian View of Ecology<\/a><\/em>. It responded to the anti-Christian environmentalism that blamed believers for the state of the environment. Shaffer issued a prophetic call to see the biblical basis for caring about the earth\u2019s crises and responding accordingly.<\/p>\n

Discernment<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"Since then, we have witnessed an exponential multiplication of literature and resources. But Christians need more than exposure to resources; they need discernment from the Spirit regarding specific steps to take as obedient stewards of creation. Christians can easily feel overwhelmed with the massive needs of the world when faced with how to carry out God\u2019s mission\u2014whether that mission entails caring for suffering people or a suffering earth. Ministries abound that push and pull believers in multiple directions. For Pentecostal\/Charismatic believers in particular, the how <\/em>of creation care must begin with asking for spiritual discernment and direction regarding the way forward. Steven F. Hayward makes a clarion call for such discernment:<\/p>\n

Still, creation care, if it is to be more than an appealing phrase, must do more than baptize conventional environmental opinion. . . . Am I saying that the discerning religious leader should distill the central principles of the biblical perspective, distinguish the signal from the noise in an increasingly fractious public debate, take account of subtle economic and scientific facts, and then carefully apply all of that to specific environmental questions? Well, yes, I suppose I am.23<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Such discernment will help believers avoid feeling overwhelmed by the greatness of the task and instead find motivation to engage in this great opportunity.<\/p>\n

Education<\/em><\/p>\n

Education is key in following through on the Spirit\u2019s direction in selecting a few practical steps to take and doing them well. The link at the end of this chapter provides extensive educational resources such as:<\/p>\n