Environmental Sympathies
I am an environmentalist of sorts - not the tree-sitting, genetically modified crop - destroying type, but I definitely agree with some concerns of such extremists. I don't agree with animal rights people, but have certain sympathies regarding animal welfare.
God instructed Adam to subdue the earth, but we should also remember that when God created he followed each day by stating that what he made was good. I don't think he called his creation good while simultaneously desiring that man destroy it. I could wager that "subdue" should not be taken to its fullest extent.
Clearly, we have been given the authority to use the resources on this earth for proper purposes. However, I think it's really important to have the correct attitude about what we use. It is okay to chop trees down - I do not equate the value of trees with the value of my grandmother. But if we truly appreciate nature the way God wants us to, if we indeed realize for ourselves that what he made is very good (apart from the havoc sin's entrance wreaked on it), we will not desire to see a hillside that has been completely devoided of trees. We will not purchase gas-guzzling vehicles just for the sake of being "cool." We will not generate large quantities of trash to fill dumps that will not be diminished. We will seek different ways to do things that are environmentally friendly - even to the extent of paying more money to do so if our budgets allow. And those who think it doesn't matter what we do on the earth now because Christ is coming back soon... they should consider that while Christ's return is imminent, we do not know that he will return within the next hundred years.
I am by no means a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) member and I believe it is right for humans to kill animals for food, to remove them if they are a nuisance to the economy (and that within reason), etc. However, I do not believe it is right for Christians to delight in destroying or torturing animals. In addition to whatever sentiments may carry over to our treatment of humans, it seems wrong to delight in the destruction of a creature God cares for.
God instructed Adam to subdue the earth, but we should also remember that when God created he followed each day by stating that what he made was good. I don't think he called his creation good while simultaneously desiring that man destroy it. I could wager that "subdue" should not be taken to its fullest extent.
Clearly, we have been given the authority to use the resources on this earth for proper purposes. However, I think it's really important to have the correct attitude about what we use. It is okay to chop trees down - I do not equate the value of trees with the value of my grandmother. But if we truly appreciate nature the way God wants us to, if we indeed realize for ourselves that what he made is very good (apart from the havoc sin's entrance wreaked on it), we will not desire to see a hillside that has been completely devoided of trees. We will not purchase gas-guzzling vehicles just for the sake of being "cool." We will not generate large quantities of trash to fill dumps that will not be diminished. We will seek different ways to do things that are environmentally friendly - even to the extent of paying more money to do so if our budgets allow. And those who think it doesn't matter what we do on the earth now because Christ is coming back soon... they should consider that while Christ's return is imminent, we do not know that he will return within the next hundred years.
I am by no means a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) member and I believe it is right for humans to kill animals for food, to remove them if they are a nuisance to the economy (and that within reason), etc. However, I do not believe it is right for Christians to delight in destroying or torturing animals. In addition to whatever sentiments may carry over to our treatment of humans, it seems wrong to delight in the destruction of a creature God cares for.
posted by Claire at 16:58
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