Opinion: Perspectives from readers

Christians have marched, cleaned up roadsides and planted trees for Earth Day because of their love of the natural world and its creator. Others have been offended by the varied political stances of Earth Day promoters and have refused to support Earth Day. Some Christians contend that God will destroy the earth (Isaiah 24:1, 2 Peter 3:7), so living sustainably should not concern us.

Creation Day: Occasionally Earth Day celebrants have promoted pantheism (seeing God and nature/creation as one). Jewish and Christian environmentalists are usually careful to affirm that God is above creation, even if they believe God is seen in the created world. What we call “nature” or “earth” God created, as he created humans. So we should praise God for the goodness of his creation and celebrate all of God’s creation. Could we call the Sunday before April 22 (traditional Earth Day) Creation Day? The focus of this day would be finding ways to praise God by thoughts, words and deeds for the greatness of creation, including animal, vegetable, human and all parts of the created earth. Maybe we should include in Creation Day praise for sun, moon and planets, too.

Biblical basis: When we look at creation passages in the Bible, we begin to understand that all of creation, including humans, is intended to honor God. All creation, even sea monsters can praise God. See Psalm 148:7-14.

Humans as well as sky, water, animals and soil all contribute praise and glory to God. When we pollute these parts of creation, we lessen the praise they can bring to God. Destroying the habitat of the snail darter or the spotted owl (leading to their extinction) hinders God’s plan for creation: to bring God glory. We humans bring glory to God by being at our best, mentally, spiritually and physically. Eating good food, learning about God and the created world, telling others about God’s goodness in creation and redemption, and staying in top physical condition bring praise to God, just like participating in a Sunday morning worship service.

Creation Day and the poor: Being at our best mentally, spiritually and physically requires a certain level of resources. Many people today do not have the food, health care and education that would put them at their best due to the current distribution of resources. With the spread of areas of drought, those financially better off move to areas with better resources. The poor cannot afford to and must live on polluted or dry land. Jesus gave a lot of attention to the poor. Perhaps the most important reason to focus on creation care is to give the same urgency to care for the poor that the Bible does.

Christians have cited Romans 8:22 (“creation groans”) and Revelation 11:18 (“destroy those who destroy the earth”) as indication of biblical support for creation care. But is it clear that these passages go beyond the Hebrew concept that moral corruption directly corrupts the soil? What is clear is Jesus’ concern for the poor. In our day it is clear that environmental degradation affects the poor first. Celebrating creation means enabling the poor to celebrate creation by stopping the pollution of their space, cleaning up of areas where poorer people live.

Creation and redemption: Easter, which often comes just before the proposed Creation Day, reminds us of the goodness of God’s creation and the promise that the consequences of sin to all of creation have or will end. In Christ, humans are brought back into a right relationship with God. God promises the same for the rest of creation. The future of God’s work is to bring about the restoration of the original goodness of creation (Romans 8, Revelation 20). Restoration includes stopping and repairing human misuse of creation. We participate in the process of redemption by cleaning up polluted streams, restoring damaged habitats and learning to make sustainability our focus (not using up natural resources). Rededication to our part in the redemption of creation should be part of our Easter celebration.

So let’s celebrate creation. Let’s celebrate God’s goodness to us through experiencing flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, birds, babies, athletes and our lovers. We can add to God’s praise by cleaning up Black’s Run, removing trash from Rawley Pike or starting a compost pile. Perhaps we should have our Creation Day Sunday service outdoors (weather permitting or not—love that spring rain) to enhance our appreciation of the created world. Later, a walk in the mountains, along the seashore or to the garden can enhance our appreciation of God’s creation.

Celebrate Creation Day: Praise God and do his work.

David Alleman is a member of Weavers Mennonite Church and is composting coordinator and occasional gardener at Our Community Place in Harrisonburg, Va.