A Biblical Worldview encompasses stewardship of the biosphere we live in.  Amazingly all things including nature hold together in Christ.  Eugene Peterson paraphrases Colossians 1:20 “All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe – people and things, animals and atoms – get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of [Jesus’] his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.”

That brings the issue of the fall of creation as well as the fall of man into better focus for me.  I am use to thinking in terms of the fall of man.  However, this verse reminds me that creation was and is severely affected by our sin.

The creation struggles along with us.  Disease, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes are the more obvious struggles of the earth.  But the planet struggles with our abuse of it as well.

The book of Genesis teaches us we are to be responsible for creation.  Creation or the biosphere (the earth, animals, plants, atmosphere, etc) we inhabit belongs to God.  We sing the beautiful song, This is my Father’s World the lyrics remind us its not ours but God’s.  I pray that God gives you and me a greater vision of how to be good stewards of the planet.

Stewardship involves holier living but it doesn’t mean primitive living.  Holiness is living all of life Coram Deo. Living before the face of God, making our decisions the way God would have us to make them. He gives us two books to help us learn to live that way; the Bible reveals God’s Word to us and Creation reveals God’s Works to us.  Both books testify to the glory of God.  Both books reveal that there was a divine intelligent designer behind all this creation, who reveals himself as our Lord and Redeemer.  Creation testifies to an honest man or woman, God is!  This one reason Green matters.

Green isn’t conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat; it is a matter of conscientious Christianity. It involves a vision for the present and for the generations that will follow us. It is living with respect, dignity and above all faith.

“[God] makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread that sustains his heart. … How many are your works O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan which you formed to frolic there. They all look to you to give them food at the proper time. … When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.” Selected from Psalm 104

Here are three books with a brief reason why I would recommend them to you if you are interested in learning more.

Earth Wise

Earth Wise by Calvin DeWitt

Mr. DeWitt is professor of Environmental Studies at University of Wisconsin. This book is a very practical introduction to biblical stewardship and ideas for group discussion.

Serve God

Serve God Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth

I enjoyed this book most of all. Dr. Sleeth was the chief of staff at a large hospital and his faith caused him to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time, environmental stewardship.

Saving God’s Green Earth

Tri Robinson is Pastor of a Vineyard Church in Colorado. I enjoyed his story, as well as the story of his congregation’s commitment to environmentalism.

“Peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

DEC