If you haven’t gotten the memo…
It is really “hip” to be “green.” To be “green,” for the purposes of this blog entry, is to be environmentally sound or beneficial. There are a million ways that this very fashionable word can be defined, so I want to make sure that I limit the definition. We also need to do that with our revered term “Siesta.” Mom, can you do that? I know you’re hurting for things to do. Now back to the point. Being green is hip. So hip, in fact, that organic produce and spaceship looking automobiles have become the next best thing since white high-top Reeboks and leg-warmers in the 80’s.
These days I never feel cooler than when I walk into “Whole Foods” with my reusable bag made from 80% post-consumer waste. My fellow organic shoppers and I gaze in dismay as “the others” walk out of the store with several brown paper bags that they will undoubtedly throw away after just one use. Gasp.
And as I make my way out of Whole Foods, I sneak away quickly so that none of the other eco-friendly shoppers can see me get into my big SUV with a Texas license plate. I have to be careful exiting the parking-lot, so as not to run over their three-foot scooters. I then make my way back to my apartment, and I sense freedom. I am sure that none of them can see me anymore. I approach my front door, set down my 80% post-consumer waste bag, and I do the following things: 1) I flip on almost every light switch in the house. 2) I drink a bottled water to refresh me from my hard work. 3) I crank up the air-conditioner full-blast. 4) I throw the bottled water in the trash, without even thinking about recycling. 5) I throw away all of the little plastic bags that the fresh produce comes in because I just want the mess out of the kitchen. 6) I clean up everything with paper towels. The really thick kind (only Viva brand). 7) I take a second shower for the day, because I feel gross. 8) I throw a load of two towels in the washing machine and each towel has only been used once.
The dead-honest truth is that after I get my approval-fill for the day at the local Whole Foods, I go right back to my over-consumptive ways. I can only think of one word for this: HYPOCRISY. Big time. Though my husband does not know about my self-righteous and childish behavior at Whole-Foods, he told me a few weeks ago, semi-lovingly, that my answer to most everything around the house is: “just throw it away.” Ouch. That hurts. And the worst thing about it is, it’s true.
Well, the Lord has really been confronting me not only about my wastefulness but also my apathy about taking care of the world I live in. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that when I walked into church on Sunday morning the title of the sermon was “God is Green.” I will say honestly that the title “God is Green” sort of creeps me out. There is something about this blanket statement “God is Green” that I don’t feel comfortable with. I don’t really want to equate anything with the person of God that can be interpreted as a peppy political agenda. It seems like an easy way to claim and market that God is on board with our current passion. I thought to myself, “Perhaps my semantic disagreement with the sermon title can help me be cynical enough not to receive this holy chastening I am about to get…I mean, good grief, my husband has already left me limp.” The problem is that not liking the sermon title did not rid me of the responsibility to listen to the pastor’s words. One thing I always want to be willing to do is to approach the Bible with an open and willing heart, ready to change any actions that are incongruent with what the text says. And I’ve got to admit, this preacher kept his finger in the biblical text, and presented a clear and timely word for Christians to be better and more informed stewards of the earth. Well, conviction came, even in spite of a catchy sermon title. I even went home that Sunday and did some more research about what the Bible says about the relationship between the people of God and the environment.
Here are my top three reasons for wanting to get more informed about how I can do my part. I know there are a million reasons, but these are simply the ones that are most significant to me:
1. Theologically, taking care of the earth is significant because creation is one of the ways that God reveals himself to mankind. The preacher on Sunday equated damaging or destroying the earth to ripping a page of the Bible. His point is this: God reveals himself in creation (Psalm 19), so when a person is a poor steward or caretaker of the earth, he or she suppresses God’s revelation in creation. I thought this was an interesting comparison. Obviously, God’s general revelation in creation is not salvific, so it is not exactly the same as tearing a page out of Scripture, but he certainly has a point. Since people look at the wonders of the earth and often see the beauty of God, not taking care of it is simply foolish. Since God’s revelation through the creation is a sort of apologetic to all of humankind, we need to be careful not to suppress its witness.
2. In the creation account in Genesis, God gives man dominion over the earth. He says, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them rule over…all the earth, and over every creeping thing” (1:26). He then takes Adam into the garden “to cultivate it and to keep it” (2:15). Some have interpreted this sort of dominion language as some sort of beastly mastery over the earth. This is a blatant misinterpretation of the text. As the preacher said on Sunday, “We do not beat the earth into submission.” As Philip Hughes says, “God, in short, gave man the world to master, but to master to the glory of the Creator, by whom man himself, to be truly human, must first be mastered” (Philip Hughes, The True Image: The Origin and Destiny of Man in Christ). The earth remains God’s earth, and we are simply stewards over it. A very important part of our function as human beings then is to carefully rule over the earth as the Lord God would see fit. Stewardship in general is a very significant theme throughout Scripture, especially in the gospels, and should be applied wholistically to each of our lives (see Matthew 25).
3. Christians have been known to argue that since the earth is just going to burn up in the end-times, our efforts to save it are futile. This is not only a very negative application of eschatology, but it is a good example of how our theology affects our behavior. My very favorite professor Dr. Douglas J. Moo has briefly discussed this sort of attitude in an article called “Nature in the New Creation: New Testament Eschatology and the Environment” that was published in Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 49 (2006) 449-88. Dr. Moo is in my humble opinion in the very top tier of New Testament evangelical scholars. His point here is that apathetically thinking “the earth is just going to burn up anyway” flies in the face of the “biblical mandate for Christians to be involved in meeting the needs of the world in which we now life”. As Dr. Moo remarks, “I may believe that the body I now have is destined for radical transformation; but I am not for that reason unconcerned about what I eat or how much I exercise…To be sure, our efforts must always be tempered by the realization that it is finally God himself, in the future act of sovereign power, who will transform creation. And we encounter here the positive side of a robust eschatology. Christians must avoid the humanistic ‘Green utopianism’ that characterizes much of the environmental movement. We will not by our own efforts end the ‘groaning’ of the earth. But this realism about our ultimate success should not deter our enthusiasm to be involved in working toward those ends that God will finally secure through his own sovereign intervention.”
So there they are, the top three arguments that beckon me to change my ways, even if it is inconvenient. In case you haven’t noticed, this blog is RANDOM. In many ways, this blog is a reflection of what it is like sitting at the Moore-Jones-Fitzpatrick family dinner table. RANDOM. The conversation goes from the intense to the absurd, the devastating to the triumphant, and the controversial to the mundane, all in record time. Oh and if you get this memo before we run onto the next random subject… don’t just jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon because it’s cool or trendy, but please don’t rebelliously avoid it for the very same reasons. At the end of the day, do it because as Christians we should be at the forefront of those who care for God’s earth. Perhaps acting as good stewards and taking excellent care of this earth for God in the here and now will somehow prepare us for a time when we will reign along with God in the new creation (see Revelation 5:10; 20:6; 22:5). So, if you are like me, a complete dummy when it comes to eco-friendly consumption, let’s take it upon ourselves to learn a little more about caring for God’s earth. I think I’ll start by trying to figure out where the closest recycling center is.
Love this, Melissa! I’ve recycled for years and we are just getting solar panels for our house. It’s a big expense, but seemed very important as we prayed about it. We’ll use God’s sun energy and save on heating bills and get a little tax credit. Eventually we’ll recover the expense and should have a bit more in our budget to help cover rising prices and give to whatever ministry God puts on our hearts.
Thank you for putting this before us. I know that it’s often more trouble and sometimes even more expense to do the “green” thing, but I believe it does glorify God and, as your mom reminds us often, we need to be culturally relevant. Being green can’t help but connect us to people in our culture right now…maybe even some people that we might not have chosen to socialize with. Hmmm.
I have to say this, OUCH! I admit it, I haven’t been the best person with recycling and I have been lazy. I have seen the reusable grocery bag and have said, how cute maybe I need to get one. As for the lights, we aren’t bad there BUT I do keep the thermostat on 70 in the summer. I could go on and on. What an eye opening post. About the random posting, randomness is the order of the day at our house, at the dinner table, shopping etc.. you name it, oh and my blog, very random. I understand and enjoy the randomness here.
Have a great day!
Much love,
Patty
You go girl!!! This has been on my heart because our church went green, but what have I done to “go green?” NADA. Its a big change when you have NEVER done it. I’m asking God now to help rewire my mind and help me do better…my kids need to see it.
Bless you! I was in Atlanta last weekend for a Braves game. Thought of you. We love that city.
But, I was happy to return to my smaller town. 😉
Hugs~
Fran
TN
Great Word Melissa!!! I love it!!
I love it!! I have been wanting to get on a soapbox for quite sometime….can I do it now?? I have been seriously convicted about this for a couple of years and started doing a LOT of recycling. (My husband does not feel that call on his life, so he calls it recycling garbage.) But, I forge ahead anyway….
I have been complaining about all the plastic bags we use….so, when biodegradeable reuseable bags came out, I purchased some. It was so great not to have all those plastic bags hanging around my kitchen. I did find out our local Walmart recycles them, so I would drop them off as often as I could. Now with the reuseable bags it is not as often. Now I am so convicted on the “electronic” waste. No one fixes the DVD-VHS players….buy new, it’s cheaper. Is it?? Don’t fix appliances, just buy new….Wrong. My stereo was broke last year and they wanted me to “just throw it away”, it would be cheaper to buy new. Not happening on my watch. I had it fixed and it didn’t even cost that much. When the TV broke, they recommended a new one….again, not happening. They fixed it and it only cost a couple of hundred. Certainly cheaper than a new one and I didn’t feel like I would be adding to the pollution. Now, I do drive an SUV, a Tahoe to be exact. But I live in NO MI and we get a LOT of snow….I want to be in a secure vehicle. I do try and conserve gas and make my trips around town like once a week and go in a circle so I don’t waste to much gas and make to big a carbon footprint….??? I so agree with everything you had to say about us being smart consumers and good keepers of the earth. We should all remember that ALL plastic comes from petroleum of some kind.
Thank you for letting me ramble on about something that is close to my heart. Our earth is so beautiful and it takes very little of our time and energy to help keep it that way.
Blessings to all of you!
Bible Bunny in MI
That’s some good theology, young lady. Thanks for doing your homework. You’ve got your ducks in a row and…uh…they’ll be glad for some cleaner water.
Melissa, I struggle with the whole green thing too. My commute is long and there are days I would seriously give a lot for one of those big SUVs with extra-comfy seats. I’m bad about throwing stuff away and using paper towels for everything.
Thanks for the detail you went into, it really does help remembering stewardship is about more than money.
Great thoughts, and you are so right- we are to be caretakers of this wonderful world God has provided for us while we wait to join HIm in an even better place!
Love random posts, that’s the way my mind works so I feel right at home!
Melissa,
I couldn’t agree more. If I hear one more political have-to or Jesus + anything, I am going to scream. What would Jesus do? I am so tired of people pushing Jesus into thier argument when its convenient. And leaving him out the rest of the time. The most precious thing about the LORD, is we may be clued into behavior by trends, but GOD brings forth the balance that gives us peace, but not by our own understanding.
YOu always blow me away ( I don’t even know some of the words you used). But my brother is big on recycling and being Green, but his heart isn’t always in giving God the Glory. But I am going to print this out, and I think he will find it very interesting.
Jesus + nothing = EVERYTHING
I love this! I really like the view that by not taking care of the earth, we damage its witness through the beauty of creation. That alone should make us think twice about our stewardship of it.
Being a good steward does not mean that we are worshipping the creation instead of the creator – thanks for the balanced view.
And thanks for giving me two new words to look up at Dictionary.com – salvific and eschatology. :o) I do love me some words!
Girl I found myself doing the SAME thing. I had my green recycled shopping bags and I just love using them, but that was about it. I still ran as many overstuffed loads in the washer, still kept un-needed lights on in the house, still went about my day without realizing that I wasn’t really doing anything to conserve. A friend of mine finally said, “what are you doing at home?” and I realized my answer was a measly, “nothing”. It really woke me up! Thank you for the encouragement and for posting this. 🙂 Maybe we can have us a “green-support” group. 🙂
Aah, such a difficult subject. I agree with all your theology, and I too, am a user of reusable bags at the grocery store (it just makes sense, the world simply can’t accommodate an endless number of those obnoxious plastic bags.) But two things make me pause…one, and I’ll admit this is a dumb one, I just get so tired of having “green” hammered down my throat, like it should be my highest standard and greatest goal! So when I’m so completely tired of hearing about going green, I find myself resisting it out of spite.
My other hesitation is a complete lack of trust for the people who bring us the new standards for environmentalism. If you go back and read statements from the last 30 years, startling inconsistencies can be found, as well as a deliberate tendency to overstate the concern in order to overwhelm people. Since, only 30 years ago, the environmentalists lived in fear of the “obvious” global cooling, I find myself skeptical about global warming, despite the fact it is considered by most to be a fact, now. So I focus my energies on not being wasteful–take my canvas bags to the store, be strategic about my driving so I’m not going all over town, etc. But I’m not overly concerned about my “carbon footprint,” and I absolutely will not give up my AC in the summer! (I live in AZ, it’s just a survival necessity.)
Thank you Melissa for this reminder. My home church has been doing this since before it was cool. At one point we were all bringing our ‘trash’ to church on Sunday mornings…the $ it generated went to help others and the environment. For more informatin go to http://www.savinggodsgreenearth.com or vineyardboise.org. As a result of the book my pastor, Tri Robinson, has written, he has been invited to share his message on college campus across the country and always includes the gospel message. I don’t always do as well as I’d like with going green, but I do realize that every little bit we do will help furture generations enjoy the beauty of our Lord’s creation.
~Michelle/Meridian, Id
Good food for thought, Melissa. I need to do a better job doing my part…
Ouch…I heard that…not just with my ears but with my heart…and I needed to hear it…thank you…and more importantly thank You!
wow thank you for talking about this. the same thing has been on my mind and,, as we prepare to buy a farm we are considering the same thing. what does stewardship look like? my husband is a big hunter and has always been interested in stewardship but now we feel like we need a little more of a plan and definition. thanks for the discussion.
morgen
I have a tip for all of my Siestas with hot flashes. My husband and I have been using a window air conditioner in our bedroom for years at night. Our kids had complained for that the house is freezing at night, so we just leave the a/c on 75-80 degrees in the house. Our room is around 65 with the window unit. We have noticed that our electric bill went down significantly. Now everyone is happy….
Several years ago my husband and I were at a Missions Conference in N.C. We had breakfast with a couple who were serving in another country and I noticed she kept her packet of salt/pepper. She talked about how the people there were not wasteful because they cherished what they could get. That made my husband and I realize how wasteful we are. We chose to do everything we can to conserve and just plain out be good stewards. Just living on a budget keeps us in line of ways to conserve. I see a lot of people who have become very anal about being green and my thing is if everybody does a little something, it’s better than nothing 🙂
let me tell you how to go green.. hehehe..come and live in a third world country. In the winter we only had 3 hours a day of power in nepal.. (around that at least) we had a schedule of when we would have power.. it’s hysterical when you have to figure out when you can take a shower/dry your hair/and make coffee when there will be power 🙂 Also.. we didn’t have water for 2 weeks.. at all.. and now we only have a little bit.. so we m*s*ionar(es in my household only take about 1 shower every five days– it helps the environment…. but um… could be why we are still single m*s*sionaries 🙂
I am glad for this post! My husband and I call ourselves “mint green” because we are making changes a little at a time, because it is a bit expensive to go totally “grass green” We changed to green light bulbs, got bottles to refill instead of buying water bottles and have started recycling (though sometimes I do throw things away and then regret it heavily), I use my own bags at the grocery store to the dismay of the cashier, and try to turn things off when not using them. But I still take incredibly long hot showers and don’t use all organic foods or cleaning products (I am slowly switching over). But, I am trying my best to take care of this beautiful earth God has given us. I need to do better, though
Wow, you really know how to hit home in a very comforting way! I too, struggle with going green, not out of stubborness, but out of laziness. I have never had things worded the way that you have, it will make me think more about our earth and what God has truly blessed us with until his coming.
I to agree that there is a book in the works, you are truly blessed!
WOW! Thank you for that Melissa! I admit that I have only made very minor efforts in that area. We are blessed to have curbside recycling in our town, so that makes recycling easy, but I know I have a long way to go!
Blessings
Michelle
The Journey Continues ~
YOU GO GIRL !!!
I was shopping in Trader Joes and the checker asked me if I had my reusable bag with me,
I said ” What is that?” And he just stared at me and looked at my husband and told him to go over to the basketball hoop that was in the store.
My husband had to shoot a basket to receive a reusable bag at Traders Joe’s on the Central Coast in California for me!
I am sooo green now!!!!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim “Green Eyes” Safina
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Good for you and your reasons too.
For me it started slowly….recycling because of city trash service did. Then it moved to my office and I was the one to set up the recycling service here. I add a little more to my efforts as time passes and I become more educated.
Now it is my canvans bags and I will admit, I forget to bring them to the store from time to time.
I have my reasons and now your well thougth out reasons…then you go and add babies to the mix and think about the world we will be leaving to little ones (like little Jackson) and that will really motivate you.
Melissa,
Thanks for the thought-provoking post. I agree with Kimberly, I too get tired of “green” being force-fed to us all. The problem I have is that environmentalism itself has become a religion. I so appreciate your biblical approach with references to help me get past my resistance to the green message. Your post demonstrates clearly how one can be “green” and Godly. My family does recycle (we have curbside pickup), but I’m thinking there is more we could do. Thanks for the prompting.
I have been thinking A LOT about this same issue this week. My husband and I have started talking about trying to go to a zero-waste house. We decided on three steps:
1. Consume less (this is where our energy is going right now). We are working on decluttering and learning to step out of the consumer lifestyle. I been thinking about the reusable bags, and this morning I realized that our sheet set is in need of being retired–guess where my bags are going to come from. 🙂
2. Reduce Trash and Learn to recycle at home (Composting). Yesterday I found out that our recyclables are all going to China, except for glass and there is basically very little market for glass right now so recycling places are just stockpiling it. When I think about the environmental cost of shipping stuff to China so it can be recycled along with the fact that a lot of the material ends up in the landfill anyways (because it isn’t needed in the recycling porocess), I am sad because recycling doesn’t have as good of an effect as it could. It’s still probably better than just throwing in the landfill.
3. Learn to do without stuff that I can’t recycle at home. Plastics, metals, and glass are the big offenders here (paper can be shredded and composted).
I’m one of those people who is always tempted to go all out until I burn out. We are just focusing on one thing at a time. This year it is stepping off the consumerism merry go-round. Basically the first step is to take little steps.
Oh, I drive a 1989 full size Blazer. But even at 8 mpg, I only use like $30 in gas per month. My husband gets the newer car that gets better gas mileage. With as little as I drive, it makes more sense to keep the old truck (with it’s 4WD which is VERY handy in North Idaho winters) rather than buying something else and just scrapping the old truck. Now, when it really is time to replace it, we will go for something that is more economical.
Well…I need to go and get a foot massage because you have stepped all over my toes, feet….and I have been convicted.
We’ve done a few things, but not near enough….thank you for challenging me today! 🙂
Hope you are adjusting to Hotlanta!
blessings,
steph.
Once again Melissa- your prose astounds me. I also love applying scripture to our modern day culture. I’ll take your 3 points to the spiritual bank! I’m always doing my best to be as green as I can, although, I’m somewhere in the middle of apathetic and extreme. If the Lord wills that I do more then I will! Thanks for this important post.
ps- Hi to all the NOGS! I’m loving this study!
Rosie
Thanks Melissa! Got me thinking…
I agree with you. I am also an ecologically challenged thinker (so to speak). Personally, I believe that as Christians we ARE stewards of God’s creation. However, there are those that take this charge and RUN with it.
Hear me out: we can take any kind of “movement” (grassroots, restoration, political etc)and get so caught up in it that we are focused more on the “movement” then we are the purpose. We can get so wrapped up in being “green” that we take it to the extreme. We can trip into worshipping the creation instead of the CREATOR. Or(and here’s a doozy) get pious about our contributions to the “cause”. Here’s my confession: I have actually walked through the grocery store carrying my little “green” reusable bag and felt SMUG looking at all those “others” that are carrying out their plastic bags. For crying out loud…….
“rockytopmom” has a point. I was instantly reminded of the Casting Crowns song titled “While You Were Sleeping” in which they say so eloquently,
“United States of America
Looks like another silent night
as we’re sung to sleep with philosophies
that save the trees and kill the children”
We need to take care of God’s creation. But we need to always be tempered with the fact that His Creation of humanity is soooo much more important. He cares more about how we treat those “others” in the grocery store than if we’re carrying a “green” bag.
Melissa,
It has been fun getting to know you through your entries. God has given you a passionate heart that is both tender and bold. Keep using your gifts to bring glory to God as you pursue whatever His plan is for your life. We need teachers with humble hearts that can provide sound theological (yet understandable) explanations for things we encounter in our Christian lives. I am trying to do the same thing out here on the other side of the USA. I can’t wait to meet you in heaven someday.
a siesta in california
Melissa I just love you! Thank you for this because I have so not been concerned about any of that just to be honest. I am going to pull out my recycle bin and start trying to be a better steward! Amen
Good point, I need to work on that one too.
Thanks Melissa,
Great post as always, Melissa. My husband and I were disappointed that our subdivision recently decided to discontinue its curbside recycling program (too expensive they said.) While staying “green” is a bit less convenient these days, we believe that it is worth the effort in order to be good stewards of all that God allows to pass through our hands (be it a newspaper, cereal box or milk carton!)May He be glorified in all we do!
Karla from Houston
Oh Melissa, I really stink at this. Really… I have never entered Whole Foods–not once. I’d like to, but don’t have the time and usually four kids in tow.
I find my personality being the problem–I am rather anti-bandwagon. If it’s the band-wagon, then usually I’m “agin it” (That’s against it in my Texan heart-language).
So where do we begin? I guess, I will begin by asking God how I can be a better steward of what He’s given us. Then I will ask Him for Truth over the matter–for I believe some of the “truth” spouted in the name of green is bunk. I’m open to Him and asking.
Thanks for making me think today, Melissa!
I try to be green at all times because I am called to be a good steward which includes being a good steward of this earth. I recycle bottles, but mainly drink tap water to avoid the waste. One green thing I dislike immensely is compact flourescent bulbs. I need more light at my age.
Great post, we all need to be reminded frequently to appreciate His creation.
Melissa!
You are so awesome! Thanks for the really fresh perspective this morning.
Oh, and about the pride from carrying the reusable bags into Whole Foods, I can do you one better: I actually have one of those Whole Foods bags that attatches to my keychain so I can be prideful about my reusable bags any time I have my keys in my hand. After reading your post, I may need to remove it. I’m feeling convicted about my pride this morning even more than about going green.
Salvific and eschatology all in the same post?? When Melissa writes, I have to keep dictionary.com open on the other screen so I can look up words as I read! 🙂
I’ve been lurking around the blog for a while now, but I had to respond to this one. I pat myself on the back for recycling plastic, paper, aluminum cans, etc. but then I find myself drinking out of a styrofoam cup at work because it’s more convenient than washing a reusable cup every day and I realize how hypocritical my actions are. Thanks for pointing out the Biblical perspective as to why we should take better care of God’s earth.
Oh, and Melissa, welcome to this side of the South! We’re glad you’re here. (I live in Chattanooga.)
I am own my wayright now will in a few. To recycl my plastic bottles.I all so would love to have them come by once a week like my sis does.I have the shoping bags to but half the time forget to take them in, ha ha, so I will now leave notes for my self.I do beleve we need to take care of the earth that the Lord made, I just forget sometimes but I am trying my best to do so.I want my grandchildren to see the outstanding world that God made.God bless love siesta in Christ Victoria Redsville NC
Such perfect timing on this blog Melissa. My sister in law and I were just talking yesterday about how easy it is to waste water. She lives in the mountains and is on a well that has very little water. She has to watch her useage very closely while I live in town with a seemingly endless supply that I am guilty of wasting. How am I honoring and obeying the Lord when I so blatently misuse the earth and it’s resources. Thank you for this post. I really need to think about what I am doing.
thanks melissa for allowing your siestas a seat at the dinner table. i thrive on such random, yet passionate, yet full of life and laughter discussions, and i don’t get enough of them in my current living situation. 🙂
thanks also for your humility in admitting your struggle with hypocrisy on this “green” issue. my sis recently gave me the book “serve God, save the planet” by j. matthew sleeth. she said it was a very convicting book on this exact issue and i look forward to reading it.
may we all do our part to be better stewards of our Daddy’s creation.
um…got my word for the day. Thanks for doing a little leg work here. It’s a tough subject and I’ve not had time to go deeper. Would love to hear more from Dr. Moo!! 😉
I enjoyed this post….with all the talk about “going green” it can be a little overwhelming at times. Last summer I went on a mission trip to Malawi, Africa and that made an impact on my life…3rd world countries will do that for ya..Our family has downsized our “stuff” a lot in the past 2 years…it has been great to remove a lot of clutter from our home and share it with others who may be in need….I have realized that less stuff means less housework…Yipee!…My 9 yr. old was trying to figure out a way to make some extra money and has been recycling alum. cans for about 3 months now and that is going well…we have made some small changes in the area of going green…I am thankful for the post to show us the true reason to go green and not just to buy into the save the earth philosophy…We saw the newly released movie “Wall-e” yesterday and it is definitely interesting in the area of “going green”…my 9 yr. old missed a lot of the symbolizism but it is definitely there. Thanks for all that yall do at LPM…you are a blessing to me and my family..
Love ya bunches!!!
Thank you so much for this Random post! I have been struggling with the whole “Green” and “Global Warming” thing. You’ve made some excellent points about stewardship and taking care of the Earth our God created. Thank you.
Prayers and Blessings,
Rebecca
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! As first a Christian and then an environmental scientist, I applaud your approach to this subject. I have the wonderful opportunity to teach about these very ideas at a Christian university and delight in seeing my students grab onto the personal responsibility of stewardship entrusted to us by our Great God. All of us need to be making everyday wise choices, big and small, convenient or not, as to worship Him with all of us. And thank you again!! Beth Madison, Jackson, TN
Thank you, Melissa. My husband and I decided that we needed to make some changes and start recycling a few years ago. We have what we call the “recycling closet” in our house. It’s actually more of a cupboard than a closet. All our cardboard and plastic and whatever else that’s recyclable goes in there and when it’s full we take it to the recycling center. We were truly lazy not to, cause the recycling center here is just a few blocks from our house. We for many years didn’t care at all because of the extremists. Our families are farmers and loggers and so have suffered much from the environmentalist movement. We finally realized that there ideas of never cutting down a log and never killing an animal for our own use is ridiculous and out of touch with reality that that was no need to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” so to speak. That there are practical ways we can do our part in taking care of the earth without taking on all of their extremist views.
AMEN! While I find either end of the “green” debate to be a little extreme, I firmly believe that we are all to do “our part”. I will recycle anything that will stand still. I have a long way to go to continue curbing the wastefulness and abundance of consuming our household does, but I have to think every little bit helps.
Thanks for such a good, scripturally grounded, word!
~Michelle
i had one other thought after i posted earlier… you mentioned in point #1 that “Obviously, God’s general revelation in creation is not salvific, so it is not exactly the same as tearing a page out of Scripture, but he certainly has a point.”
while i agree that revelation in creation is not the same as the salvation from the person of Jesus, romans 1 popped into my head.
specifically, v. 20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
paul suggests that we can know God’s eternal power and divine nature from what has been made, and this makes me think that creation can be a means through which people can understand the Gospel message. creation doesn’t provide salvation but creation can lead people to recognizing the salvation God offers through Jesus. not the same, but still something important to remember as we think about “going green.” 🙂
AMEN!!!
Living in Rural Montana where the term “environmentalist” is almost synonymous with “terrorist”, your post does give me some food for thought. I too get a little caught up in the “throw away” aspect of society.
That being said I reiterate that a person can not get too swept away by what one hears, reads, and sees about climate change esp. I was listening to a report yesterday that said researcher’s discovered that plants actually produce more oxygen in environments where there is more CO2. Doesn’t that sound just like God? He designed our environment to compensate for his idiot humans.
As farmers and ranchers, we have to take care of our land so our cattle and ground will produce and remain viable as our way of living. But we also cannot leave God out of the picture and get worried that the world is “out of control” on the environmental scene. Our world is very much in control, in the control of a God who has a specific plan for the way our world began, functions, and how it will end.
Nice job Melissa! That post provides a balanced perspective of “green”. We don’t need to worship the earth or believe that our efforts will bring about world peace and harmony…but we are called to be good and concientous stewards of God’s creation.
Wow, that’s all I can say. I have a lot of work to do. Thank you for the deep, theological points.
Wendy