|
|
|||||||
| | | | | | | |
|
|
Mining Affairs Forum January 3, 2007 By Ken Thornberg "Church Develops Environmental Stewardship" Last Easter, while visiting the Vineyard Fellowship church in Boise, my wife and I had a chance to share and pray with the pastor's wife after a service. Following our time together, she gave me a copy of a book her husband, Tri Robinson, had written and published, called, "saving God's green earth." Having written columns in this newspaper and its predecessors for over 30 years, I was intrigued at the book's subtitle, "Rediscovering the church's responsibility to environmental stewardship." After a busy summer travel schedule over three continents, I finally sat down and read the book. I'm glad I did. Tri Robinson, the pastor, is a man who truly loves God and at the same time, is unassuming in his nature and stature. He has a real heart for his people and has always been a man of the outdoors. I wrote him about this column and shared how I was surprised to see a man like myself who has such an endearment towards God's creation. I delight in it and it appears that Tri does also, from what he has written. I'd like to share with our readers a few highlights from Tri's book and at the end of this column, I will give you particulars about how to obtain the book if you'd like to read it. Pastor Robinson starts out his book sharing his "fear and trepidation" at giving an unexpected Sunday message about such a delicate topic as the Christian's responsibility to environmental stewardship. The topic is of course politically charged, as our readers know. Robinson didn't know if people would approve or "throw me out on my ear." Well, it turns out that it was the first time he had ever had a congregation rise and applaud at the end of a sermon–not just at one service, but at both Sunday AM services. So what was his message? Church Rife with Distorted Message Dispensationalism, a theological message that is accepted by many church denominations, says that "the earth is going to burn up, so we might as well use it up until Jesus returns." Such was the message that Robinson grew up with as an ecology major in College. As a result, most Christians have not had a set of ideals that supports cherishing and protecting the environment. As most would agree, describing ones self as an environmentalist today would probably stereotype one a "liberal" at best and "radical" at worst. There are plenty of reasons to presume this would be fact, so it is stretching one's neck out to publicly declare the charge as a Christian to be a good steward of God's creation. This was a step Pastor Robinson was willing to take. The core of Robinson's message is that God values both human and plant & animal life, even though the former is at the top of His list. We don't have to choose one over the other, but can be for both. He believes the church must "grow thick skin and help provide a solution rather than be frozen in fear over people's perceptions from either side of the political aisle." Defining Environmental Stewardship Since God commanded us to "tend His garden," this principle says we should "care for, manage, and nurture what we have been given." It is actually a biblical perspective, not something an "ecological extremist" thought up. As Robinson properly illustrates, acts of eco-terrorism do not equate to environmental stewardship. The first step is recognizing that this principle views nature as a resource and provision to be used, not abused. It is seen by how we manage the land with crops, how animals are treated, how we take care of our natural resources such as water and air, etc. Mining companies know these lessons well. Second, Robinson goes to Deuteronomy 22:6-7 as a foundation for balance in using and protecting creation. Third is the pronouncement that stewardship is a blessing and sanctuary for God's creation rather than another "to do" that is required to make us acceptable to God. Last, he points out its inter-generational nature as a means to provide a legacy for our children. A Change in People's Priorities One thing Robinson pointed out in his book surprised me. While Idaho's population was growing by one-third, visits to our famous wilderness areas had dropped by the same percentage. This shows the priorities of Americans in general: more time in front of television and less time spent in activities outdoors. One of his goals was to get his church to spend more time outside the city limits of Boise. Throughout his book, he shares points of view from others in the community and elsewhere that have had opportunities to experience this realm from varying Christian perspectives and add new twists to the issues on the table. Everyone from scientists to Christian leaders contribute their opinions. One of them described one of the means by which we can know God in the following manner: "First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God." I like that. Another man wrote that we need to care for both people and the environment because "people depend upon the environment to live. When land goes bad for whatever reason, human life stops. You can't say people are more important than the land because it is a false dichotomy. When you care for the land, you are caring for people...we (evangelicals) believe God birthed creation and we believe God has called us to take care of it." Amen. The Church Has Lost Its Mandate A couple things have kept Christians away from environmental issues since the 60s. One was the tag that would be put on Christian leaders since leaders in this movement are usually opposing Christian values. Second, the "mother earth" theology and "earth first" approach had polarized most Americans due to their extreme approaches to everything. In other words, the Christian community had allowed the "world" to dictate the agenda in this arena and had abdicated its responsibilities to those with ulterior motives. As Tri said in his book, "Evil has a way of stealing things out of God's camp, values that the church is called to champion. As a result of the Western world's apathy toward the environment, much of the world perceives the church as championing a way of life that is destructive to the planet…I believe it is time Christians begin to rediscover the values we have lost and be on the leading edge of promoting environmental stewardship with practical instruction on how to implement these ideas in our daily lives." One thing I appreciate about Tri's message has to do with making us aware of the legacy we are leaving behind, using Scriptural examples of those who both did and did not put value on it. He makes it clear that we (the Christian church) have to earn back this issue by example. It is time to replace the liberal stigma with a proper worldview, one of balance. The Practical Message to the Church Throughout his book, Pastor Robinson shares how God relates to nature from a biblical and experiential perspective. He shares how the Great Commission of proclamation, demonstration, and participation fits into the Christian's call to stewardship also. I believe this is one of the more powerful chapters in his book for it is here that we see the Christian take the message "out of the pews and into the shoes." (my words) Christians must live out a faith that saturates every part of that person's life. Robinson states that the church can quickly become a leader in this area because environmental groups merely express a love for God's creation without doing much about it, except maybe "protest." Tri has spearheaded several projects within his church to get the people involved in more than just talking about it. For example, he speaks of reusable canvas bags used for shopping to replace plastic bags, collection of old cell phones for recycling, digging wells with solar pumps in foreign lands, education about dangers to natural resources, drinking filtered water instead of bottled water, discouraging littering, printing their bulletin on recycled paper, setting up recycling bins at the church, etc. He clarifies a truth: "God is into recycling. He is into conservation of people and nature." There is more that a church can do, but you'll have to buy the book to find out what it is. They even set up a four-week course outlining why Christians should care for the earth as well as how they can. You can view it at www.savingsgodsgreenearth.com Pastor Robinson got together a brainstorming group as a think tank of sorts to come up with practical ideas for his church to explore. When many people are involved in solutions, it is amazing what can be accomplished. One interesting note he makes in his writing has to do with the global warming issue, something both myself and other Miners News' columnists have spent a lot of ink on. Upon sharing his view and others', he states, "Regardless of what your conclusion is, the earth is currently in an indisputable warming trend…and the result is hurting creation and devastating peoples' lives…the church must rise to the occasion for humanitarian service." I appreciate his not stepping on my toes on that one! His conclusion is correct in that we must do what we can to reduce the pressure of this "season" the earth is experiencing. Robinson shares the views of Peter Illyn, an environmental evangelist, who shares some valid insights. Illyn says that politics has created a "disconnect" for people in the U.S. which causes them to either champion human life or the environment, thus presenting us with false choices all the time. "Having a compartmentalized worldview hurts Christians in so many ways," he states. I wholeheartedly agree. To order this book, visit www.ampelonpublishing.com. It is also available at Christian bookstores. You can reach the Boise Vineyard church by calling 208-377-1477. God loves life…all life. When God's covenant is established, there is reconstruction, restoration, reconciliation and resurrection. To close, consider this message from Psalm 19:1 "The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship." | |||
|
Home
-- About Us --
Products & Services --
Classifieds --
Professional Directory -- Advertise with Us
|
