Articles
Planet Earth
April 22, 1970, marked the beginning of the annual Earth Day celebration. It was originally begun by those who wanted to focus more attention on uncontrolled pollution and its dangerous effects on all living creatures, including us humans. It succeeded in motivating politicians to enact legislation limiting and monitoring various types of pollution, the creation of the EPA, and a public awareness of a more realistic picture of how their habits and practices contributed to this planet's condition.
Since then, we have gone far in reducing some types of pollution, but we are failing in many other areas, including plastic pollution in the oceans, and air pollution in several developing countries. It is a matter that should interest everyone, for as is often said, "This is the only planet we've got!"
Of course, there seems to be a political divide on the matter, too, unfortunately. In what did not start out as a matter exclusive to one political party, it has certainly turned into that, and many individuals formulate positions based on which political party is for or against environmental issues. Facts are often exaggerated or ignored, and it is rare that one can discuss the environment without getting political.
Of course, to every Christian, this planet should be of interest to us, and on a different level altogether than what is, for the most part, the focus of Earth Day. We understand and believe that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). We believe “that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Gen. 11:3), and, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psa. 33:6). We accept our Creator's account of how the earth came into existence, but we also accept His word on why.
We believe our Creator when He said, “I have made the earth, and created man on it” (Isa. 45:12), and told us it was He “Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited” (Isa. 45:18). And we believe the inspired words of the psalmist when he wrote, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men” (Psa. 115:16). Contrary to the popular notion that man somehow evolved out of nothing into what we are today, and despite the popular belief that this planet came into existence by mere chance and after billions of years, both man and the earth we live on were purposefully created by God.
We also believe “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” and blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:26-28). I believe Albert Barnes stated it well when commenting on this passage, writing, "It is the part of intellectual and moral reason to employ power for the ends of general no less than personal good. The sway of man ought to be beneficent." (Barnes' Notes). In other words, the rule of man over all Creation should be for its good, not just for getting whatever we can out of it without considering consequences.
Yes, Christians should care about our environment; it should not be a political position, but a general concern of all. At the same time, it should not be our focus in life; that is, while it is certainly important, it should not be our main purpose in life to "save the planet." [Close!] You see, our work is not to "save the planet" but to save the world! [‘What is the difference,’ you say?]
Let us not forget, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17). God loved “the world” — not the planet — and sent His Son to die for “the world.” Jesus would say again, “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (John 12:47). Obviously, Jesus is talking about the people who live on the planet, rather than the planet itself. God loved man enough to send His Son to die, that they might have the hope of eternal life in heaven with Him. You see, this planet is not man's permanent residence; it is merely temporary.
Peter tells us that, in the end, “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). He revealed what Paul pointed to in his letter to the disciples at Corinth: “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). That doesn't mean we can or should do anything we want to the planet because it is all just temporary, however; we still have to live here, as do the generations after us [if the Lord wills]. But neither does it means we make this earthly life out to be all-important. No, what is all-important is where we spend eternity!
Since God's people know this better than anyone, we should see the importance of saving the world, rather than the planet. We know our Lord told us, “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), and, “the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matt. 18:11). Paul tells us, “when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6).
Jesus commanded the apostles, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Our focus, as disciples of Jesus Christ, should be on the people of the world, rather than on the planet on which we all live. Since Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost,” , and since we are disciples and “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher” (Matt. 10:25), then it should be clear that it should be our focus, also.
While many in this world focus on the temporary things — the environment and maybe even social issues — that should not be our focus. The fact is, this world is moving ever closer to its demise, and reducing or eliminating entirely the pollution will only serve to improve the physical existence until that inevitable day comes when it will all be burned up. Improving society by reducing or striving to eliminate all injustice and suffering will only improve life minimally, since evil and evil men will always exist.
No, friend, we will never make this world perfect, and neither will the planet on which we live ever be perfect. We are looking for a Utopia that simply does not exist, nor can it as long as sin exists. Sin is the reason injustice, suffering, and even death exists. Sin is the reason this world will forever be imperfect. Our efforts should be towards improving the spiritual side of man, rather than the physical.
Take advantage of this Earth Day and speak to your friends and neighbors about its Creator. Tell them about how it was created for man, and how he was given rule over it for its good. But also speak of it temporary nature and the need to focus on the life we will live after this earthly one.
Be a good steward of the world we have but, more importantly, be a good steward of the message of salvation. —— Steven Harper
