The green-letter bible.

Pollution, vegetarianism, animal-rights, carbon footprints, ecology, rain forests, global warming, greenpeace, toxins.
The green agenda has overwhelmed me. Is Al right? Should I feel guilty because evangelical Christians have neglected the earth? Will I go too far if I start caring for the earth? Is this a Democratic or Republican issue?

I recently talked with younger friends of mine who are earnestly seeking God’s guidance on ‘being green’. They are going farther than where I am, but they are sincere and consistent. I was at a conference awhile back where some of the speakers and exhibits made me feel I was failing part of the Great Commission if I didn’t embrace the earth. My last pastor used to preach that global warming was a hoax.

I shun the pendulum views and seek the pendulum balance.

As a Christ-follower, what is my responsibility to the earth? What does God ask from me in relationship to this home He created for me?

I am studying this, and will continue to think through it, but to begin with this is my green-letter bible…

God is the Creator-King of universe. He alone is capable and responsible for sustaining the system.
o Genesis 1
o Job 38-41

God displays His glory through His creation. He is a proud artist-architect who hints and teaches about His personality through all He has made. Nature is His MySpace.
o Psalms 19

Humans are above the rest of creation. We are the recipients of His life force and the focus of His relational love.
o Psalms 8

Our mission is to glorify and love God, and our first job is to act as caretakers of creation.
o Genesis 2

As caretakers we have the right to live from the creation, to use the resources it provides. This includes animals, plants, water, land.
o Genesis 9

Creation is broken, infected, deteriorating due to the action of the first humans.
o Genesis 3

Creation is not god, and is not to be worshipped.
o Exodus 12
o Romans 1

As caretakers we must not abuse the resources from creation.
o Leviticus 25

God plans on recreating creation.
o Revelation 21, 22
o 2 Peter 3