Looking at the earth through God's eyes

<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> Jennifer Brown's Bible Studies- Number 3</div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" background="041bec00esnpes.png"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="8cd9dd10.jpg" border=0 width="157" height="209" ALT="Spring" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Looking at the earth through God's eyes</B></div> <div> <B>Introduction</B></div> <div> What is the correct ethical position for Christians to take on the environment? How can we understand God's thinking about creation, and just as importantly, how can we communicate that understanding to others? In order to answer these questions, we first need to decide if the value of the natural world is instrumental (value based only on its use as a resource), inherent (valued for its beauty and the pleasure it gives to humanity) or intrinsic (valuable in its own right and for its own sake, regardless of any human presence).1 In deciding which of these categories best describes the value of the earth, and as Christians, we must do our best to have a theocentric (God-centred) approach to the issues. And, of course, we must use the scriptures as our means of discovering and understanding the God's-eye view of the earth.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Bible Study</B></div> <div> I usually don't favour taking biblical passages out of context, because of the potential to misunderstand or misuse isolated bits and pieces of scripture. Sometimes, however, space limitations or time constraints mean that we must focus on key verses that speak directly to our questions or issues. With that in mind, I have selected six key verses/passages to help us discover God's view of creation. Use the following Bible passages to develop a Christian response to environmental issues and how we use the earth and its resources:</div> <bR> <div> Genesis 1.31</div> <div> Leviticus 25.1-7 </div> <div> Psalm 24.1-2 </div> <div> Matthew 5.5 [NB: the Greek word translated as `meek' can also be translated as `gentle']</div> <div> Ephesians 1.9-10 </div> <div> Revelation 11.18 </div> <bR> <div> What do these passages tell us about how God views the earth?</div> <bR> <div> Do you think that these views are represented in most Christian thinking today?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Conclusion</B></div> <div> In the beginning, God did not dismiss what he had created as worthless, profane or evil. God made it, and when it was complete, he looked at creation and saw that it was very good. Not good because it could be used (or used up) or because it was beautiful - it was good simply because it was. God has never abandoned his creation. It still belongs to him, and it is his desire to restore it, in full. The harm done to the earth does not go unnoticed or unrecorded by God. God's love for his creation remains passionate and undiminished.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Prayer</B></div> <div> God, you created all things. Help us to see your creation as you see it, to value it as you value it, and to use its resources wisely, carefully and for the good of all. Teach us to be gentle with the earth, and judge us with mercy for the damage that we have done in our ignorance. Amen.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Reference</B></div> <div> 1. Regenstein LG. Replenish the Earth. SCM Press, London, UK, 1991.</div> <bR> <div> © Jennifer Brown (2006)</div> </td> </tr></table></body>