Study 3: FALL & REDEMPTION

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#999933" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040006e0ddwnfv.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Sage - Oxford's Christian Environmental Group</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>     |    </B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sage Oxfords Christian Environmental Gr"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> FALL & REDEMPTION</B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" background="041bec00esnpes.png"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="07a9e7a0.png" border=0 width="158" height="122" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Study 3: FALL & REDEMPTION</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Introduction</B> In this study we start to explore the fundamental cause of environmental problems, and have a glimpse of the primary solution. The Old Testament passages look at the consequences of human sin, and in the light of this, the New Testament readings point to Jesus as Saviour, not only for us but also for the whole of creation.</div> <div> <B>Read </B>Genesis 3:1-24</div> <div> <B>Note</B>  In our final passage from Genesis we see the perfection of God's creation being fractured by human sin. The fact of sin is clear, as is the fact that God judges, and this has consequences for humanity and the rest of creation. How these consequences work out is harder to understand, but this passage will set you thinking about the matter. Question two could lead into a debate about the interconnected nature of the natural world, and the "Gaia hypothesis". As proposed by James Lovelock, this hypothesis envisages the earth as a self regulating system. Whilst there is no doubt that all living things are connected, the Gaia hypothesis can be linked with the idea that the earth is a "super-organism", and the concept of "Mother Earth". If you discuss this, be careful to keep the science separate from what are really New Age ideas.</div> <div> <B>Discuss</B></div> <div> (1) Why did God forbid Adam and Eve to eat from the tree? </div> <div> (2) Disobedience clearly leads to suffering for the people who disobeyed, but how does this affect all other living things? </div> <div> <B>Read</B>  Hosea 4:1-3 </div> <div> <B>Note</B> This reiterates the connection between sin and problems throughout creation, and introduces the point that the way we treat each other will affect our environment. Here we look at how this might happen in the present day. Question four alludes to the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, which have several problems including (a) they often kill non-target plants and animals, (b) many pests and weeds are becoming tolerant to the chemicals which are supposed to kill them, and (c) the chemicals can contaminate our water supplies. In recent years the development of genetically modified organisms has raised concerns about potential long-term environmental problems.</div> <div> <B>Discuss </B></div> <div> (3) How does our failure to acknowledge God and to love our fellow beings affect our relationship with nature?</div> <div> (4) In the light of both the Genesis and Hosea passages, consider as an example our methods of producing food. Farmers have to battle against thorns, thistles, weeds, pests and unpredictable weather in order to grow crops successfully. In doing so (e.g. by using chemical herbicides and pesticides) what sort of problems are created?</div> <div> (5) Both passages describe broken relationships: between God and humans, between person and person, and between humanity and nature. How is this brokeness relevant to the environment? For example, do we care if other countries are affected by the pollution we produce?</div> <div> <B>Read </B>Colossians 1:15-22 and Romans 8: 18-27</div> <div> <B>Note </B>Both these passages are dense with truths, and can be looked at from several angles. The Colossians passage clearly places Jesus at the centre of creation (as we saw in Study One). It also talks about Jesus' work of redemption in terms that most Christians are familiar with. This is developed further in Romans 8. The questions concentrate on what the passages have to say about the redeeming of creation. They give hope, which is necessary if we are not to get bogged down in despair.</div> <div> <B>Discuss </B></div> <div> (6) What do you understand by the whole creation (Romans verse 22)?</div> <div> (7) In what ways was the creation subjected to frustration (verse 20) and groaning (verse 22)? Is this always not by its own choice (verse 20)?</div> <div> (8) Is redemption for humanity alone?</div> <div> (9) How do these two passages give us hope, based on a consideration of God's power and actions?</div> <div> (10) Through the presence of the Holy Spirit we have the power to live a restored life - how could this change our relationship with the environment?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Worship</B></div> <div> Love divine all loves excelling; From heaven you came; Hills of the North rejoice; There is a Redeemer.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Pray</B></div> <div> O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and to our world.</div> <div> In your dying for us you accepted the pain and hurt</div> <div> Of the whole of creation.</div> <div> The arms of your cross stretch out across the</div> <div> Broken world in reconciliation.</div> <div> You have made peace with us.</div> <div> Help us to make peace with you by sharing in your</div> <div> Reconciling work.</div> <div> May we recognise your spirit disturbing and</div> <div> Challenging us to care for creation and for the</div> <div> Poor who most feel the effects of its abuse.</div> <div> O Christ, the whole creation groans,</div> <div> Set us free and make us whole.</div> <bR> <div> From the Iona Community's Creation Liturgy, based on Colossians 1:15-20</div> <div> © <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://ionabooks.com/newsite/sections/home/homepage.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://ionabooks.com/newsite/sections/ho"><U>Wild Goose Publications</U></A></FONT>, Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland. Reproduced by permission.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>