Comments psalm103 has made

Best of Both Worlds

How nice to read articles about evangelism and environmentalism that don't include snide asides about any people group.

I grew up in a rich, secular household and was taught in school about Earth Day and the importance of conserving our resources. In college, I spent a year living in a small co-op with "green" friends.

After encountering God one day while alone in a meadow, I spent a long time looking for evidence before realizing the most realistic test of God's existence, for me, was to believe first and see what happened next. (Sort of the happy antithesis to the dreadful "shoot first, ask questions later" saying.) I eventually converted to Christianity.

But it was strange to suddenly be "one of them"! I had always thought all Christians were morons at best and evil at worst. (Of course, I've learned otherwise.)

Several years ago, I saw the Bible as many people's humble attempts to describe their own experiences with God. Now, after applying many parts of the Bible to my life, I'm amazed at the way seemingly ridiculous guidance can have beautiful results. I am more inclined to trust the Bible as being inspired by God.

Many of my values have changed because of my faith, some quite drastically. One that hasn't changed is my environmentalism.

The Bible doesn't say why God made Creation, but my personal opinion is He did for sheer joy. There is something about Him that is generous beyond belief. He loves extravagantly. Also, the Bible often describes the stars as singing or trees and hills as rejoicing when good things happen. It's hard for me to imagine that God would treat His own Creation with less than loving care.

In fact, as a side note, I'd argue that the environment had already become corrupted back when God kicked Adam and Eve out of Paradise and that the Earth won't be fully restored and peaceful until the "end" of time. My Bible study group has enjoyed exploring this idea. (If you're interested, start with Romans 8:19-21 as an example.)

I'm glad to see environmentalism taking hold in the evangelical community. For example, my local megachurch (www.frontline.to) used to include a Starbucks on the premises, but when missionaries informed the pastoral leadership about what's going on with greedy coffee growers, the church switched to a Christian company that offers fairly bought coffee.

I was thrilled and touched to see this happen, because sometimes it's lonely being one of the minority Christians who follow environmental news. Now if we can just get capitalism out of the church altogether. But that's another story...

Rita Nolan, 28
On Bill Moyers discusses the spread of environmental concern among evangelicals posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

Best of Both Worlds

How nice to read articles about evangelism and environmentalism that don't include snide asides about any people group.

I grew up in a rich, secular household and was taught in school about Earth Day and the importance of conserving our resources. In college, I spent a year living in a small co-op with "green" friends.

After encountering God one day while alone in a meadow, I spent a long time looking for evidence before realizing the most realistic test of God's existence, for me, was to believe first and see what happened next. (Sort of the happy antithesis to the dreadful "shoot first, ask questions later" saying.) I eventually converted to Christianity.

But it was strange to suddenly be "one of them"! I had always thought all Christians were morons at best and evil at worst. (Of course, I've learned otherwise.)

Several years ago, I saw the Bible as many people's humble attempts to describe their own experiences with God. Now, after applying many parts of the Bible to my life, I'm amazed at the way seemingly ridiculous guidance can have beautiful results. I am more inclined to trust the Bible as being inspired by God.

Many of my values have changed because of my faith, some quite drastically. One that hasn't changed is my environmentalism.

The Bible doesn't say why God made Creation, but my personal opinion is He did for sheer joy. There is something about Him that is generous beyond belief. He loves extravagantly. Also, the Bible often describes the stars as singing or trees and hills as rejoicing when good things happen. It's hard for me to imagine that God would treat His own Creation with less than loving care.

In fact, as a side note, I'd argue that the environment had already become corrupted back when God kicked Adam and Eve out of Paradise and that the Earth won't be fully restored and peaceful until the "end" of time. My Bible study group has enjoyed exploring this idea. (If you're interested, start with Romans 8:19-21 as an example.)

I'm glad to see environmentalism taking hold in the evangelical community. For example, my local megachurch (www.frontline.to) used to include a Starbucks on the premises, but when missionaries informed the pastoral leadership about what's going on with greedy coffee growers, the church switched to a Christian company that offers fairly bought coffee.

I was thrilled and touched to see this happen, because sometimes it's lonely being one of the minority Christians who follow environmental news. Now if we can just get capitalism out of the church altogether. But that's another story...

Rita Nolan, 28
On A Grist special series posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses