Should Christians Care about Protecting the Environment?
If we truly believe that one day the earth will pass away and be replaced with a new earth (Revelation 21:1-5), then should we really care about protecting the one we live on now?
Here’s an answer from RBC Ministries:
Consider similar questions: Why should we care about our bodies since they are all going to die anyway? Or why care for our homes or business establishments since they will all eventually be demolished? Careful consideration of these questions should make it easier for us to draw the conclusion that biblical prophecy about the future must not be used to excuse present carelessness. This kind of attitude has often been expressed in the claim that “some believers are so heavenly minded they’re of no earthly good.”
The Bible passage that tells us of the “elements” of the earth burning “with fervent heat” 2 Peter 3:10-13) is not easy to understand nor is its chronology clear. Many Old Testament passages speak about the permanence of the creation (Psalm 104:5; 148; 78:69; Ecclesiastes 1:4); both Old and New Testament Scriptures tell of a future time of restoration and reconciliation when the earth will return to the peaceable kingdom much like that of the Garden of Eden (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Micah 4:1-4; Acts 3:18-21; Romans 8:18-25; Colossians 1:19-20; Revelation 22:1-3). Certainly that is a yet-to-be era on this earth, and one we should eagerly anticipate. If what Peter was predicting is a total remaking of the planet, it would have to come after the restoration—which would seem to make such destruction unnecessary.
Read the rest of RBC’s answer in Why should we care about the environment since it’s all going to burn anyway?
How would you answer this question? Should Christians care about the Earth?
The picture at the top of the post is called The Blue Marble and is from NASA
I will not continue to read an article where a Christian or anyone for that matter denies the Word of God. Peter meant what he said about the elements burning, and when the Bible talks about a NEW heavens and a NEW earth, it means just that.
Sorry RBC. Don’t try to rationalize the eco movement by denying eschatalogical certainties. You should know that the Bible is authoritative, and while end time predictions are not always chronological, the word of God still means what it says, and there is no reasoning it out.
Environmentally responsible? Absolutely. Siding with the ideologies behind the environmental extremists global warming/climate change movement? Dangerous. Rationalizing away any part of scripture? …
@Bob Can you explain this statement? “Siding with the ideologies behind the environmental extremists global warming/climate change movement? Dangerous.” The RBC article seems to argue primarily from the Bible, but perhaps I missed something?
Bob, you are RIGHT that when the Bible talks about a NEW Heavens and a NEW earth, it means just that! In fact, the word for “new” is “kainos” as opposed to “neos.” The latter is something completely different and new coming into existence. The former is a “refreshing” of what is old. Kinda like the “old” man being made “new” in the writings of Paul. We don’t become a different entity. The old entity is made alive and restored.
So the Bible is saying exactly what it means. The world as we know it will be refreshed, revitalized, restored. That is the meaning of “new” in Rev 21. Theologically speaking, the earth will experience the “heat” Peter is talking about. But the heat will not annihilate the earth else nothing will exist to “renew.”
Be careful how your shooting at your fellow brothers and sisters. Just because a topic is popular in public discourse doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it either. After all it was a “Christian” nations that allowed the industrial revolution to get out of hand in the first place. So if anyone should be talking about this, it should be us.
So, in agreeing with ‘Bob’ and in saying “The latter is something completely different and new coming into existence. The former is a “refreshing†of what is old. Kinda like the “old†man being made “new†in the writings of Paul. We don’t become a different entity. The old entity is made alive and restored.
So the Bible is saying exactly what it means. The world as we know it will be refreshed, revitalized, restored. That is the meaning of “new†in Rev 21.” it comes across that you are saying it’s ok to just allow the modren times trend toward just doing whatever to the Earth, because later on it will all be made ‘new’. That seem irresponsible and not being a good steward toward the Earth that God wants us to be. Not being a good steward is what got Adam and Eve kicked out of Eden.
I appreciate the article. I think we can also add many pragmatic reason for preserving the earth. We forget that the earth provides us with life and food. Hurting the earth, on a big picture, is like blowing up all our grocery stores.
Wendell Berry has some of the best writing on understanding our place in nature (since we are part of nature) and our need to care of it. The dilemma of creature care has only emerged in the last 150 years because that is when we started to destroy the earth.
You who are so adept it finding appropriate scriptures, what will you do with John and his revelation (11:18):
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated
on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying:
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign. 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 saints and those who reverence your name,
both small and great—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”