The Christian and Creation: Caring for Nature Is an Act of Worship

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.

Is Christianity Relevant to the World Today?

I am a Christian, and lately, I have been asking myself this question. It is not because I have stopped believing in God and in the marvelous grace of His salvation. My faith is very firm.

So, what is the purpose of the question?

This question came to my mind after a post I saw on Reddit. It went something like this:

A screenshot of an online conversation, where one person expressed sadness upon learning that Japan had a very low number of Christians. Another person responded by comparing some social indicators of Japan with those of the United States. And indeed, the Asian country without Christianity was doing much better than the “country with a Christian majority.”

I confess that I had never thought about this issue, because for me, being Brazilian and living in a country where the name of God is on the currency, and the name of Jesus is everywhere, it seemed that Christianity made some difference in the countries where it is the dominant religion. But after a slightly deeper analysis, I realized that there is no difference at all. In some cases, Christian-majority countries are worse off than countries with other majority religions or no religion at all.

I know this idea might seem absurd and nonsensical, but let us consider a few points. Analyze them by thinking about the people you know and other data you are familiar with.

• How many politicians who call themselves Christians are involved in crimes?
• How many Christian couples are involved in infidelity or divorce?
• Does the judicial system in Christian-majority countries seem to be more just and function better?
• Do Christian-majority societies have a genuine concern for the needy?
• Are there fewer lies in countries with a Christian majority?

For me, all the answers are NO. And so, we arrive at the point of the title: unfortunately, Christianity is not relevant to society, at least not as an organized religion and institution.

And after this conclusion, comes the big question: How did we get to this point?

I believe there is no simple and direct answer to this. However, if we go back to the Bible, we will find several clues.

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The message in the text is very clear: you (Christians) must make a difference in the world. You are salt, you are light, and your good works must be known. Christ was incisive in His words and actions. He did not come to create a new organized religion that lives on appearances and titles. He came to bring God’s salvation to the world. And His disciples must follow in His footsteps.

Jesus was not afraid of the dominant system or the religious majority. He did what needed to be done without worrying about people’s opinions or His popularity.

And in the present day, what do we see?

People who adapt the Gospel to the politically correct and socially acceptable standard. An example of this is the unwavering defense of modern capitalism. Christians find it completely normal to accumulate limitless wealth while others live in misery. And when someone disagrees, they are called a communist, far-left, and other political labels. People have forgotten what love for one’s neighbor and compassion mean.

Another very striking example is the normalization of lying. Go to a supermarket and read some labels. It is highly likely that you will find promises that are blatant lies. And for society, it is all fine; no one cares. It is just the free market; the economy needs to grow.

Regarding the inertia of Christians, some time ago, I heard a sermon where the pastor said that modern Christians lean on Ephesians 2:8-9 to escape hard work.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

People have repeated this so much that they have convinced themselves they do not need to do anything in this world. This is a huge contrast to the Christians of the past who played extremely important roles in society. John Newton was a former slave trader who fought avidly for the end of this trade. Many educational and medical institutions were founded by Christian churches. There are many philanthropic organizations maintained by churches.

Those who work have read the continuation of the text in Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The complete text says that we are not saved by works, but by the grace of God. And after that, we should do the good works that God has already prepared for us. If we think about it a little, we know what our gift is; we just need to get moving to use it.

I believe at this point we already understand why Christianity has not been relevant in the world. Christians are not fulfilling their role as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The Christian life has become a title with some predefined rites. Follow the manual and everything is fine:

• Accept the world as it is;
• You do not need to do anything;
• Good works do not save anyone;
• Go to church as much as you can;
• Evangelizing is optional;
• And many other lies…

A Christian can, in fact, live like this, but on Judgment Day, they might hear:

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

The words are harsh, yet real. Do a self-assessment to understand if you are living institutionalized Christianity or if you are living the Kingdom of God.

Institutional Christianity may have lost its relevance, but the Gospel of Christ never does. When Christians decide to live as authentic disciples—loving, serving, being just and compassionate—the Kingdom of God is once again perceived as a transformative force in the world.