Time for a blog
shout-out to a new resource brought to my attention by a new friend here in our
new digs. Sorry, that’s a lot of new, but the issue the resource presents goes
back to the beginning. The very beginning. As in, the Garden of Eden beginning.
Namely, it's a
simple video resource/documentary released recently called Behold the Earth. BtE is
a music-rich
film that explores the subject of earth stewardship/creation care as
a critically important spiritual practice for all people of faith, and asks
tough questions about church engagement with environmental issues.
Do you
think of earth care as one of the core issues of Christian discipleship? Many
church-goers do not, and, I'm very sorry to say, perhaps particularly us
evangelicals. I cannot begin to count the number of times people have expressed
their surprise to me in meeting an evangelical concerned with creation care.
What a sad reality. And I'm not sure what the deal is here. Is it some
evangelicals' sole preoccupation with personal salvation, or at least that
perception from others? Is it poor exegesis on our part with Jesus' admonition
to 'love not the world' (1 John 2:15),
which isn't referencing creation care at all? Is it the evangelical error of equating
the issue with 'liberalism' (whatever that is)? Or do we limit the stewardship idea
to the traditional mantra of time, talent and treasure? If so, then I'm
flummoxed: if God's creation is not also treasure to us, I'm not certain what
is. Of all people, evangelicals, as 'people of the whole book,' should be at
the forefront of the issue.
How is
it that we forget that the charge to steward creation is the very first
commandment in the Bible? Yup, Genesis 1:25 and 2:15. And don't get hung up here
on the words dominion and subdue; the words are far richer and more
complex than appear on the surface, surprisingly so if we truly get into them.
But I'll write on that another time.
OK, end
of sermon. Sorry. I am likely preaching to the choir. Let me highlight the
resource.
Set
with lovely videography and provocative music, Behold the Earth features conversations with legendary biologists
Edward O. Wilson, Theo Colburn and Calvin DeWitt, interspersed with the
perspectives of emerging leaders Katherine Hayhoe and Corina Newsome, and
founder of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action Ben Lowe. Yet this is no
talking head documentary. In addition to the stunning video, it is full of
fabulous Appalachian-style folk music, a pleasure to listen to in its own
right, featuring Grammy winners and musicologists Rhiannon Giddens, Dirk
Powell, and Tim Eriksen. Extensive music is interwoven in such a way as to give
the viewer a contemplative opportunity to reflect on the verbal material just
presented, and, if you're like me, in addition to the subject matter, the music
is the thing you will remember long after the documentary has finished, and may
be the thing you want to come back to again and again. It has certainly spurred
my interest in these artists.
One final
thing. I've gotten involved here in our new Washington community with a
cooperative of churches called Greening Congregations Collaborative. It
consists of members from numerous area churches who want to bring a greater
awareness of earth stewardship to their congregations by creating and
sponsoring cooperative events, initiatives and presentations that highlight creation
care as a critical part of Christian discipleship. Does your church have such a
committee or team, even a small group of people interested in championing this
concern in your church fellowship? This simple, one-hour movie can provide you
a quality way to introduce this subject to your church leadership and your
friends. It's not intended to resource those of you who are already advocating
for this issue in your sphere, though it can inspire you, as it has me; it's
intended to touch those who may not yet be there, and is a great discussion
starter. Here's the trailer.
~~ RGM, May 31 2019
