Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

Earth Day

Everybody is talking about "going green" today in honor of Earth Day.

As people who follow Christ, we've got to approach this the same way we should approach everything we see in our culture…we have to run it through the filter of Scripture.

The Bible teaches that, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…" (Psalm 24:1, NIV)

If "the earth is the LORD's," then it makes sense that we should take care of it. It's a horrible witness when you pitch pop bottles and fast-food bags out your car window. Come on. You're a big boy/girl. Find a trash can.

Recycling is wise. Conserving energy is cool. If you approach it with the mindset that you're taking care of God's creation, then you're on the right track.

However, we should be very troubled with the extremism in the environmental movement. I purposefully avoid politics on my blog, except when the political issue is also a spiritual issue. This one qualifies.

For some, the planet has become the god to be worshipped. "You can't cut down that tree, because God is in that tree." When you hear things like that, you should have all kinds of alarms going off in your mind. It's a very unscriptural worldview.

The Bible says that the earth belongs to God. It also says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:27-28, NIV)

God commissioned mankind to "subdue the earth." In other words, to rule over it. To be its master. To use its resources for our benefit.

Taking care of God's creation while still utilizing its many resources is a balanced, Biblical stance.

And one more thing…I am very troubled by the "go green" emphasis that is happening in the church today. Instead of preaching Jesus, a lot of churches are preaching recycling. Recycling isn't going to get you to heaven. That's Jesus' department.

Preaching is a privilege that God has entrusted to guys like me. We can never forget that, as with any privilege, the potential for abuse is great. It is a horrible abuse when we preach "green" instead of preaching the gospel. Let's be sure that we don't major in the minors.

Remember that the church is called to "go gospel."