Comments on: Reading the News Through the Lens of Faith- 7 Green Christianity http://www.faithemergence.com/2008/06/reading-the-news-through-the-lens-of-faith-7-green-christianity/ seeking Jesus - growing in faith - leading others Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:31:23 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Darin http://www.faithemergence.com/2008/06/reading-the-news-through-the-lens-of-faith-7-green-christianity/#comment-113 Darin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:32:33 +0000 http://www.faithemergence.com/?p=74#comment-113 I think it's important to educate ourselves on all sides of these issues so we don't drink too much of the Green Kool-Aid. The law of Unintended Consequences also comes into play. For example, using corn for fuel sounds like a good idea, thereby loving our farmer neighbors who provide this resource. Until we realize that government-subsidized corn helps drive up prices on wheat, which hurts everyone else. Or consider certain proposals to curb global warming, which in reality would cost the global economy trillions of dollars and may have little effect on the climate. For much less money, we could give every person in the world clean water -- something that would be a guaranteed success. That's _really_ loving our neighbor. I think it’s important to educate ourselves on all sides of these issues so we don’t drink too much of the Green Kool-Aid. The law of Unintended Consequences also comes into play. For example, using corn for fuel sounds like a good idea, thereby loving our farmer neighbors who provide this resource. Until we realize that government-subsidized corn helps drive up prices on wheat, which hurts everyone else. Or consider certain proposals to curb global warming, which in reality would cost the global economy trillions of dollars and may have little effect on the climate. For much less money, we could give every person in the world clean water — something that would be a guaranteed success. That’s _really_ loving our neighbor.

]]> By: John http://www.faithemergence.com/2008/06/reading-the-news-through-the-lens-of-faith-7-green-christianity/#comment-102 John Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:52:01 +0000 http://www.faithemergence.com/?p=74#comment-102 oops -- sorry for the long comment... oops — sorry for the long comment…

]]> By: John http://www.faithemergence.com/2008/06/reading-the-news-through-the-lens-of-faith-7-green-christianity/#comment-101 John Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:51:42 +0000 http://www.faithemergence.com/?p=74#comment-101 Since the industrial revolution, the common person has been insulated from knowing the ins & outs of manufacturing and production. Because of this, we've given over the responsibility of being stewards of natural resources to companies, corporations, and governments. That's ok - if the common person still has a way to make them all accountable for their actions. And we do! The power to protest, to vote, and to buy are all held within each individual's hands. The problem is that we've been led to believe that the individual really cannot effect any sort of lasting change. And that may be true! After all, sin has devastated our world. All creation groans under its weight, crying out for a savior... Who are we to think that we can bring creation back to an ideal Eden-like state of purity? Is that the goal of the green movement? If it is, it's sadly mistaken... As Christians, we do not fight against injustice & tyranny & the destruction of creation because we need to win the battle once & for all and eradicate our enemies (like global poverty). We fight so that we might be able to see glorious little teasers of Jesus' eschatological (end-times) victory dance right here, right now. We can't perfectly get rid of sin and all of its consequences - but maybe we shouldn't be so goal-oriented! Daily we can engage the battle - knowing that in the end, Jesus will show us how all the things he's called us to do in his name have been for some kind of benefit in his kingdom. Yes, Christians: Be Green! - but don't expect that we will bring about Eden. We've got a Savior for that! Since the industrial revolution, the common person has been insulated from knowing the ins & outs of manufacturing and production. Because of this, we’ve given over the responsibility of being stewards of natural resources to companies, corporations, and governments.

That’s ok – if the common person still has a way to make them all accountable for their actions.

And we do! The power to protest, to vote, and to buy are all held within each individual’s hands.

The problem is that we’ve been led to believe that the individual really cannot effect any sort of lasting change. And that may be true! After all, sin has devastated our world. All creation groans under its weight, crying out for a savior…

Who are we to think that we can bring creation back to an ideal Eden-like state of purity?

Is that the goal of the green movement? If it is, it’s sadly mistaken…

As Christians, we do not fight against injustice & tyranny & the destruction of creation because we need to win the battle once & for all and eradicate our enemies (like global poverty). We fight so that we might be able to see glorious little teasers of Jesus’ eschatological (end-times) victory dance right here, right now.

We can’t perfectly get rid of sin and all of its consequences – but maybe we shouldn’t be so goal-oriented! Daily we can engage the battle – knowing that in the end, Jesus will show us how all the things he’s called us to do in his name have been for some kind of benefit in his kingdom.

Yes, Christians: Be Green! – but don’t expect that we will bring about Eden. We’ve got a Savior for that!

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