Today is Earth Day. There is a vigorous debate currently underway regarding the environment. The debate centers on climate change, carbon footprints, the importance of going green, etc. I urge you to proceed with caution. Some are presenting these issues as if the science is settled on the matter. It is not. We only have reliable weather records for perhaps the past 100 years, if that. Even if the climate is warming, and I think that is debatable depending on which data one relies on, nobody knows for sure what is causing it. It is still a great possibility that it is simply a cycle the weather is going through that will eventually move in the other direction.
So what are we to make of the discussion?
What should our response be to Earth Day?
There are three Scripture passages that profoundly impact my position on these issues:
1) Genesis 1:28-31 "God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." God also said, "Look, I have given you every seed bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth- everything having the breath of life in it. I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came, and then morning: the sixth day."
Everything God originally created was good. God intended that the earth would be utilized by man and for man, for his provision and sustenance. He told man to fill the earth and subdue it. Man was given the responsibility to be a good steward of what God entrusted to him for the glory of God. Good stewardship or management of the earth is clearly expected by God. But the earth is to be filled and subdued. We have the God-given directive to utilize the natural resources for our benefit.
2) Romans 1:18-25 "For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever." Amen.
It is the sinful inclination of the wicked heart to worship that which is created rather than the Creator. The obvious context here in this passage is sexual immorality and the focus turning to man, but this is also the heart of the focus of a secular Earth Day. Phrases like "Mother Nature" and "Mother Earth" are not uncommon. The earth is revered as a god and the discussion surrounding it certainly resembles worship among the environmentalists. God created the earth for His glory. Do not exchange the truth of God for a lie, and worship and serve something created instead of the Creator. God alone is to be worshipped.
3) 2 Peter 3:10-13 "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be on fire and be dissolved, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell."
God is eternal. God has created man to live forever spiritually. The earth is temporary. The earth as we know it will be destroyed in the Day of the Lord and there will be new heavens and a new earth. How much sense does it make then, to worry over what the climate is going to do over the next 100 years, when God says He is going to destroy it and bring about a new earth? We ought to be good stewards now for the glory of God. But this must be the focus: the glory of God, not the worship of the earth. The earth is temporary, God is eternal. The only way to be right with Creator God is through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. This will determine if your eternal destination is Heaven or Hell.
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