I have been thinking about various aspects of modern Christian life lately, and I have been surprised by some of my conclusions. Amidst this sea of thoughts, I found myself navigating a sea almost unexplored by most of us Christians: the importance of environmental preservation.
I reflected for a moment and searched my memory for any sermon or conversation I have ever had with someone on the topic, and to my surprise, I found nothing. I asked my wife, who has been a Christian longer than I have, and her search also came up empty.
Stop for a moment and search your own memory for something on the theme…
I suppose your conclusion is the same. In the Christian world, we do not talk about nature, the environment, ecosystems, environmental preservation, or other related subjects.
Genesis 2:15
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
In truth, we only remember them in a few specific situations:
- Calamity or environmental tragedy
- Climate crises
- Prolonged droughts
- Heavy rains and floods
When one of these things happens, we remember that God controls this aspect of our world. But aside from that, it seems we live in a kind of "environmental apathy." It is as if we do not care about deforestation, air and water pollution, animal extinction, environmental crimes, and so on. Everything seems to be permitted and a part of existence. There is no concern, at least not a visible one, with everything that is happening.
Considering the most recurrent themes in the sermons of major churches, it is possible to understand one of the reasons for this apathy. Many pastors and preachers are focused on the achievements and economic growth of the faithful. Prosperity and dominion over the world are at their peak. However, they are overshadowing other, much more important aspects of the Christian life, such as the focus on Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ (a discussion for another time) and also the importance of preserving everything that God has created.
We act like teenagers who throw a party and wreck the house when their parents are away. Even knowing who the owner of everything is—God—we despise Him and think only of the immediate benefit: to destroy and consume.
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
It may seem like an exaggeration, but let us look at some simple examples. Churches use disposable cups to serve Holy Communion. In all of them, there are disposable cups at the water fountains for regular members and visitors. The error already begins with the production of waste that could be reduced or even avoided.
Completing the disregard for environmental issues, we have the matter of the political positioning of the churches. Most of them (I speak for Brazil) are practically kneeling before the ideals of the right and far-right, and environmentalism has become a left-wing issue (some “Christians” call them satanists) and something against the progress of society. In short, defending the environment is not a mission for “Christians.”
The saddest part of all this is seeing the reflections of the neglect of God's people daily. Everything is being systematically destroyed, and no one does anything. The children of the Creator God (Elohim) think they are the only creation and forget that everything was made by Him.
Romans 8:19-22
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
We urgently need to change our way of thinking and acting when it comes to nature and our planet.
Revelation 11:18
The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.
We must humbly acknowledge our past mistakes and begin to build a new future for the environment. I believe that this is also an act of praise and worship to God: to recognize His marvelous creation and to do our best to preserve it.
We eagerly await the return of Christ and a new and perfect world, but while that does not happen, let us do our best to care for this imperfect one.
2 Peter 3:13-14
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
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