April 19 - 25, 2004
April 19 - 25, 2004
SOLI/Update
Rush versus Ralph?
As we can with most issues, Christians can bring an important element to the debate over environmental concerns: Common sense informed by our faith.
Researching environmental issues over the last several weeks, I have to agree with the Christianity Today article in this week’s resources that the debate is waged by two polarized camps unhelpfully screaming at each other. It kind of boils down to Rush Limbaugh verses Ralph Nader.
On the Rush side, rabid anti-environmentalists dismiss any concern for pollution, global warming, energy conservation, species survival or wildlife preservation. They demonize environmentalists as idealistic “greenies,” “tree huggers,” “eco-commies,” etc.
On the Ralph side, rabid environmentalists see every smokestack, building, tree cut, SUV and parking lot as sin against nature. They see their opponents as greedy, selfish, blind sellouts.
Clearly there is a middle ground, and that’s where people of faith can bring balance. Our first allegiance is to God, and we serve God by serving God’s people and God’s creation. In our lives and congregations, we can speak prophetically about the environment and model practices that show our concern. The resources we've been posting in April can inspire and equip you to do just that.
--Rob Blezard, editor and webmaster (webmaster@stewardshipoflife.org)
New This Week: April 19 - 25, 2004
For
the Beauty of the Earth
"So when you give thanks in prayer,
give thanks for the beauty of the earth. When you add your petitions for any in
need, add the concerns for the environment. As we begin to daily pray for the
earth and its renewal, we will be called into the cause of its renewal. What we
pray for will become what we work for. What we pray for will become what we
vote for." In Dana Reardon's weekly reflection.
Environment
as Creation
Looking for some good reading on religion,
the environment and public policy? Walter Bruggemann, the New Testament scholar
from Columbia Theological Seminary, weighs in with reviews of three new books.
"Thoughtful women and men of faith do well to think again and again about land
as God's gift and about the environment as the habitat of the creator's will for
creation—especially because at the present time, the tilt in public posture and
policy is all toward economics at the expense of the environment." In
Books&Culture.com.
Bluebird
Nesting Boxes: A Project for Youth and Adults
"This project, which also involves building bluebird nesting boxes, is designed for a two hour youth group session for children about nine to twelve years of age. The project opens with a call to worship that gathers the children into a community to focus on their response to God’s call to become caretakers of the world." By Richard Carter and Edward Ebersole, in the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.
Website:
Evangelical Environmental Network
Here you'll find a wide variety of resources
for use in your congregation: articles, small-group resources, tips, links,
liturgies. Especially check out the
2004 Creation Sunday
worship materials which center around the theme God's Oceans.
Eco-Myths
"Don't believe
everything you hear about the church and the environmental crisis," reads the
teaser on this report, which takes a very balanced, Biblical approach to an
important that has become polarized. "Fueled by
misconceptions, misinformation, and even showmanship, the environmental debate
rages in the popular media. One side likes to quote Rush Limbaugh, who paints
Vice President Al Gore and friends as "tree huggers"; the other charges 'rape of
the Earth.'" From
ChristianityToday.com.
Freedom
in Christ
"Freedom is a precious blessing of God.
As we consider that blessing, we recognize how much more it means to a
Christian--one who lives the StewardLife. Stewards freely respond to God for His
action in freeing us--not just socially or physically-- but spiritually. And
spiritual bondage is more eternally destructive than physical bondage."
StewardLife, from the
Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod.