Nov 14th 2007

Christian Considerations of the Environment

The following is a response to Environmentalism – A New Religion at http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/environmentalism-a-new-religion.php

The issue here is that many Christians have embraced an apocalyptic view of both culture and the world; it’s all essentially seen as just “there” and ultimately pretty much nonredeemable. I think that this is a distinct ‘spirit’ – and whether you choose to see it as an actual demonic entity at work or a game plan of the same – to deceive Christians into having a general condescension of Physical Reality. We become so spiritually minded that we are of no earthly good. I have felt that the work of Brevard S. Childs as written of in Paul C. McClasson’s book – Introduction to Dogmatic Theology, A Canonical Approach suggests, that after the Enlightenment, Christianity seemingly went to two different directions; the Conservative/Dogmatic and Liberal/Social – they are alienated and constantly berate each other – when the truth is; they are both co-necessary and co-important.

I believe that the case can be made that when you do not assert your authority over something (such as care of the Environment, in this present discussion) then it becomes evil. It should be of no shock to anyone that Environmentalism is the new pagan religion – since some of us thought other things far more important long, long ago. Our seeds have merely come to harvest – and we are reaping a whirlwind. I used to get angry – now I just laugh; every time I hear a fellow Christian speak of how evil a place like a bar where they serve alcohol is; I have to fight myself to not remind them that there was a time where most church and town business was conducted there. Many have suggested a scriptural metaphor of this as being Moses’ rod – which became a snake when he laid it down. He was, as we know, instructed to pick that snake back up and it became authority in his hands again. I would almost say that some of us have been so focused on saving souls that we have neglected to focus and in so many words exert our authority over issues of the Environment and Culture. If this was indeed the case – was it an acceptable loss? To have perceivably won more into the kingdom and have ceded the borders of that kingdom to the enemy in some assumed to be innocuous regard? I don’t think that it acceptable. I don’t think that it is wisdom. I think that it can be argued that for all you won – you were never able to communicate to others who would have heard what you were saying. But perhaps this is Calvinism at work? Since all are predestined outside of their choice – you just have to ‘show up to work’ – it may not really matter if you are at the wrong desk or even in the wrong office.

Regards –

-matthew

 

 

 

 

 

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