Environmental Actions
of a Christian
By Jake Kohl
Thesis
Our
environment is on the decline. With farmland being taken over by industrial
giants and pollution spilling into the streams and into the ground, our world
is turning into a dumping ground. God tells us that we have dominion over the
earth and all that is in it, but we have to first respect that which is given
to us and then make a claim to it. As Christians, we are held at even a higher
standard by God with what we do with what has been given to us. We make take
responsibility without blaming anyone else and without using scare tactics,
such as global warming.
Abstract
The
environment is on decline because of the lack of respect from moral law. We are
creating a world around the advancement of technology and are eating up the
land with pollution and industrial growth.
As Christians, we must make a stand for God and the gift He has given to
us to have authority over. While environmental chaos is ruining our world,
global warming in not a factor in the decay. We must all be accountable for how
we treat our world, and with the respect toward God, this can change.
Christians should respect and do all they
can do to protect the environment because this is what we are supposed to do
according to God. The Bible clearly states that what God created, He called “good”. (Genesis 1:11-12 KJV) So many
times Christians are caught up in their own agenda that the moral law of
keeping our environment good is left on the back burner. The Bible states, “And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth
upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26 KJV) Having dominion is having the authority
over things such as the environment. We as Christians must not turn our head in
the attempt to hide ourselves from what desperately needs our attention.
We have far too long hid ourselves from the
very things God has given to us to oversee. We have allowed our environment to
be overrun with toxic pollution and have allowed industrial giants to sweep
away the land that was given for vegetation, plant and animal life. Christians
must take a stand and speak out. We are a number of people that has the backing
of the creator. We must not flinch when confronted with issues that are against
the word of God.
Driving
through the country on my way to see my family in Ohio, you can’t help but
notice the beauty of the land. Driving past old farmhouses and seeing the
fields freshly tilled, you can’t help but reminisce on the good times I spent
at my grandparents while growing up. We would help plant the garden and take
care of the animals just as the sun was coming up. The smell of dirt and cattle
was a smell that would pleasantly grow on you after awhile. At the end of the
day
we
would head in and have a dinner fit for a king, with all the trimmings and all
from what was harvested on my grandparents land.
As I continue to drive, I can’t help but to
look out and see the hills touching the sky and all the greenery that is with
it. It shows me how much beauty God had with His creation. With the beautiful
scenic route, it was an awe experience like no other. God had a perfect plan in
creation, and it was a plan that He called “good”. (Genesis 1:11-12 KJV) As
Christians, we are called to be obedient and to walk in the way of the Lord,
and His way is good.
Driving
back to the city, I see less and less of farmland and beauty and more of
factories, plants and vehicles. The air is much less cleaner than in the
country as well. I wonder why we have become a nation that has been built on
industrialization which involves chemicals, gases and other harmful man made
elements. Industrial Revolution as I see it can be termed as Industrial
Improvement or one could even say Industrial Advancement. The Industrial
Revolution was a “major turning point in human history; almost every aspect of
daily life was eventually influenced in some way.” (Wikipedia; Industrial
Revolution http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution)
As Christians we must take a stand and
speak out for that which God has given to us to take care of. We must voice our
concerns and speak out against the pollution, dumping and the big corporations
who insist on tearing our environment up in order to make way for greater
advancement in technology. While there is a problem with how we are treating
our environment, I also find that the Global Warming theory originally made by
the 45th Vice-President of the United States Al Gore is inaccurate.
According to the americanpolicy.org, “Scientific research through U.S.
Government satellite and balloon measurements shows that the temperature is
actually cooling - very slightly - .037 degrees Celsius” (There is No Global
Warming; http://www.americanpolicy.org/un/thereisnoglobal.htm)
This refutes the claim made by Bob Herbert that, “A number of factors are
already contributing to the destruction of coral reefs, and global warming is
one of them.” (Bob Herbert, No Margin for Error; MULLER/WIENER, To The Point, 2009 p 313; par 8) Also,
“Michael Crichton, the scientist, writer and filmmaker; In his latest book,
"State of Fear" he takes time to explain, often in surprising detail,
the flawed science behind Global Warming and other imagined environmental
crises.” (Global Warming: The Cold Hard Facts? BALL, http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/global-warming020507.htm)
With the information we get from the far rights to the far lefts, will always
remain a topic of debate. (New Law: Clean The Snow & Ice Off Your
Car Or Get A Fine, http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2009/10/new-law-clean-the-snow-ice-off-your-car-or-get-a-fine.html)
Regardless of the claim, we as Christians
must do our part in taking care of what has been given to us to oversee. Our
environment is in shambles, our farming is on the decline and more pollutants
are spilling into our world each day. We have abused the land and have
disrespected God’s gift to us. Dr. Ray Bohlin said, “Christians we must treat
nature as having value in itself, and we must be careful to exercise dominion
without being destructive.” (BOHLIN, Surf-In-The-Spirit, http://www.surfinthespirit.com/environment/christian-environmentalism.html)
With this statement, we must not turn away but look at it face on. If we as
Christians continue to turn a blind eye to the destruction of our environment;
we will have to answer for our actions with god, or lack thereof.
Bob Herbert also states that, “There is not
even agreement among scientist on the amount of warming necessary to begin the
destruction.” (MULLER/WIENER, p 314, par 11) We cannot go on a blind leap of
what ifs. We need facts and proof of the claim of global warming. If scientists
cannot agree on the amount of warming necessary, how can they make an accurate
agreement on the truth of global warming?
In conclusion; while our environment is in
decline, I find it hard to swallow the so-called facts that it is due to global
warming. I find that our environment is in decay from the lack of respect from
all people, from every walk of life and every way of life, including
Christians. The bible talks about the advancement in knowledge in the last
days. My question is… could this advanced knowledge have begun with the
Industrial Revolution? I think it is
something that should be taken to count, especially among Christians. We will
have our day of judgment, and when we do, will we be prepared to give an account
for what God has given us?
Works
Cited
·
·
OnAsia Launches Environmental Exhibition,
GOLDSTEIN, http://www.photographyblog.com/news/onasia_launches_environmental_exhibition/
·
Bob Herbert, No Margin for Error;
MULLER/WIENER, To The Point, 2009 p
313; par 8 / p 314, par 11
·
Global Warming: The Cold Hard Facts?
BALL, http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/global-warming020507.htm
·
New Law: Clean The Snow & Ice Off Your
Car Or Get A Fine, http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2009/10/new-law-clean-the-snow-ice-off-your-car-or-get-a-fine.html
·
BOHLIN, Surf-In-The-Spirit, http://www.surfinthespirit.com/environment/christian-environmentalism.html
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