If you are reading this, you haven’t given up on the ol’ virgin here, God love ya! So here’s a headline to chew on to warm us back up to the Old Testament: Green Bible Sparks Debate Among Christians. Oh, this is a good one.
A new edition (as opposed to “version”) of the bible was released in October. Simply put, it highlights in green all references to the earth and environment. It seems there are more than twice these references as there are to love or heaven. It seeks to raise consciousness about Humans’ responsibilities as stewards of the earth. “The Green Bible will equip and encourage people to see God's vision for creation and help them engage in the work of healing and sustaining it.”
Seems like a good mission, yes? Oh, no, say some evangelicals. “I am concerned that many who call themselves Christians don’t interpret the bible literally," said James Taylor, senior fellow of environmental policy at Heartland Institute, a conservative Chicago-based think tank.
Confession #52: Yea? Well, I worry about the ones who DO take each word to the letter, especially when that letter has already been interpreted many times and many ways.
Again I find myself asking WHAT in the world are people so afraid of? People really can’t be good God-fearing Christians and see that role as including a devotion to taking good care of God’s greater creation? Evidently, some worry that such Earth-day activities just distract one from literally following and spreading the word of God. The ultra-conservative among the evangelicals see this as another cog in the “liberal” wheel of moral and political decay. Oh, please!
Now, not all evangelicals are completely loony. Many have been finding common ground with other groups in a shift toward recognizing the need for wiser earth practices and have dubbed themselves part of a Creation Care movement.
Confession #53: I believe the idea of finding a sacredness in how we view and treat the planet we’ve been placed on is a beautiful and wise perspective. We’ve been given “dominion;” with that must come thoughtful and long-reaching care-taking. Later in the Bible, we will read, “God is love.” Seems to me that love must be applied to our greater home.
Confession #52: Yea? Well, I worry about the ones who DO take each word to the letter, especially when that letter has already been interpreted many times and many ways.
Again I find myself asking WHAT in the world are people so afraid of? People really can’t be good God-fearing Christians and see that role as including a devotion to taking good care of God’s greater creation? Evidently, some worry that such Earth-day activities just distract one from literally following and spreading the word of God. The ultra-conservative among the evangelicals see this as another cog in the “liberal” wheel of moral and political decay. Oh, please!
Now, not all evangelicals are completely loony. Many have been finding common ground with other groups in a shift toward recognizing the need for wiser earth practices and have dubbed themselves part of a Creation Care movement.
Confession #53: I believe the idea of finding a sacredness in how we view and treat the planet we’ve been placed on is a beautiful and wise perspective. We’ve been given “dominion;” with that must come thoughtful and long-reaching care-taking. Later in the Bible, we will read, “God is love.” Seems to me that love must be applied to our greater home.
2 comments:
I completely agree. You'd think with the hit the evangelicals are taking lately for being out of touch they would see this as a PR blessing. Literally.
Dang, you're quick. I had posted seconds ago! I know, ya missed me. Your point is so true. Can't they see that anything that draws people into reading the bible serves their general objective? [Side note: hope second semester is good to you.]
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