I’m an environmentalist.

To be honest, those words aren’t often spoken by evangelical pastors.  Most of us tend to be conservatives, and environmentalism isn’t usually on the top of conservative agendas.  And sometimes, it’s for good reason.  Many of the things associated with the environmental movement (worship of “mother earth,” for example) are diametrically opposed to our Biblical Christianity.  We worship the Creator rather than the Creation.

Nevertheless, I am a Biblical environmentalist.  I see in the land, the trees, the animals, the mountains, the oceans, and even the deserts a picture of a creative and awesome God, and I want to preserve that image for others to see.  I see in the resources of water, food, wood, building materials, and energy sources an image of a God who provides for His people, and I want us to use those resources in a sustainable way so future generations will enjoy them.  I see in the natural places of the earth a picture of the Genesis 1 world as created by God before man messed it up, and I want to preserve (and even expand) those natural places for future generations.  I see in clean air and clean water an environment perfectly suited for the earth as created by God, and I want to keep it clean and reverse the excesses of previous generations.  I get excited about natural things (like these blooms I encountered in the desert last weekend) because I see the beauty of God shining out through His creation.

So in big ways and in small ways, I’m working to limit energy use and resources under the old-fashioned but Biblical concept of good stewardship.   I’m working personally to change my consumption habits and politically to change our local and national habits.  I recycle, conserve, and re-use.  I pick up garbage on trails and limit my own use of resources and non-recyclables.  I refuse to replace old but serviceable cars and TV’s just to have the latest-and-the-greatest.  And I consider their position on the environment as one of many factors before I support a politician.

I believe that God created an incredible and awesome planet for us to live in, and I want future generations to be able to see God in creation.  

I am an environmentalist, a Biblical environmentalist.