I read an interesting view on “mother nature” yesterday and why Christians often have a hard time with living green or caring for nature (aka natural conservation – which sounds like the very essence of a conservative).
First off, because most Christians believe the earth is going to be destroyed in the end – so why should we worry with protecting the environment?
Secondly because most Christians traditionally consider themselves “conservative” there is a tendency to be against anything and everything those “liberals” are for.
And third, the idea of a “mother earth” seems mystical or too spiritual or giving too much authority to the rest of creation. It also seems to reflect a Darwinist viewpoint that we all evolved from a single cell somewhere that was birthed my “mother earth.” And I think in addition, there’s a fear that “treehuggers” have taken it their love of God’s creation to the extreme. Some how the dolphins and Pygmy Three-toed Sloths have become more important than humans and well – we can’t have that.
So how about this? What if rather than using the term, “Mother Earth” which tends to give a higher authority to the rest of God’s creation – we used a new term, “Sister Earth?” After all, we do have the same Father/Creator.
Thoughts? Ideas? Have you faced some of the same struggles? Do you care?
I noticed that confliction in me and all around. There is a good CNN special called “God’s Christian Warriors” that talks about several things, one of which a preacher who sites God placing us over all the animals and Earth(that it “yields” its fruits to us) and that we should use our position over the earth to take better care of it-very much like a brother would his sister. Good terminology, you theological voice of the 21st century, you.
I noticed that confliction in me and all around. There is a good CNN special called “God’s Christian Warriors” that talks about several things, one of which a preacher who sites God placing us over all the animals and Earth(that it “yields” its fruits to us) and that we should use our position over the earth to take better care of it-very much like a brother would his sister. Good terminology, you theological voice of the 21st century, you.
First off I’m sad that wikipedia doesn’t have a picture of the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth, but here you go: http://tinyurl.com/5kb5mh.
Second, I believe the newer catchphrase for Christians is steward instead of environmentalist. With the popularity of enviro-friendly living, Christians can’t or shouldn’t ignore it. So we spin it our way saying we should be good stewards of God’s earth that he originally entrusted to Adam and Eve.
Concern for the environment is not on the front-burner of most evangelical Christians, but it is important. At least I believe so.
First off I’m sad that wikipedia doesn’t have a picture of the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth, but here you go: http://tinyurl.com/5kb5mh.
Second, I believe the newer catchphrase for Christians is steward instead of environmentalist. With the popularity of enviro-friendly living, Christians can’t or shouldn’t ignore it. So we spin it our way saying we should be good stewards of God’s earth that he originally entrusted to Adam and Eve.
Concern for the environment is not on the front-burner of most evangelical Christians, but it is important. At least I believe so.
From email:
You wrote: “Thoughts? Ideas? Have you faced some of the same struggles? Do you care?”
Yes, I do care. I think this is an important issue.
“So how about this? What if rather than using the term, “Mother Earth” which tends to give a higher authority to the rest of God’s creation – we used a new term, “Sister Earth?” After all, we do have the same Father/Creator.”
How about “creation”? How about us as “stewards”? That preserves both hierarchy of creation and hierarchy of responsibility.
From email:
You wrote: “Thoughts? Ideas? Have you faced some of the same struggles? Do you care?”
Yes, I do care. I think this is an important issue.
“So how about this? What if rather than using the term, “Mother Earth†which tends to give a higher authority to the rest of God’s creation – we used a new term, “Sister Earth?†After all, we do have the same Father/Creator.”
How about “creation”? How about us as “stewards”? That preserves both hierarchy of creation and hierarchy of responsibility.