four most important biblical passages for a Christian enviromentalism, The

Trinity Journal, Fall 1998 by Bullmore, Michael A

Before we look at the biblical passages chosen it may be helpful to speak a word regarding the selection process. There is an almost inexhaustible number of passages which might be treated in connection with a discussion of a Christian environmentalism. The Psalms alone are filled with references to God as Creator and in relationship to his creation. The Prophets contain repeated references to the network of issues related to justice and human greed, a major one being that of land use. Many biblical writers, in both Old Testament and New, speak with an eye toward a future in which the transformation of creation figures largely. However, within this abundance, a fairly well-defined canon of Scriptures emerges which provides, though in basic form, a complete theology of creation. While other passages will be referred to in the discussion, the four passages selected are sufficient to the task.

II. THE FOUR BIBLICAL PASSAGES

A. Psalm 104

One might expect an attempt to articulate a biblical Christian environmentalism to begin with Genesis 1 and its majesterial statements of the foundational truth that God is the Creator. While that truth 'deserves pride of place, we will use Psalm 104 to highlight it. For in this psalm we find not only the assertion of the truth that God created the world but also the expression of corollary truths such that the psalm presents a more fully developed picture of the relationship that exists between God and creation. Thus it brings the reader to a more heightened awareness of the response appropriate to the foundational truth it declares.9 It might even be argued that if one had to choose but one passage to support a Christian environmentalism it should be this psalm; and if one had to choose but one verse it would be Ps 104:24. "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."

The contribution of Psalm 104 might be summarized as follows:

1. God created the earth and all things in it, and he continues to sustain the earth and all things in it by the loving exercise of his sovereign power.

2. The earth and all things in it belong to God by virtue of his creative work, and all things find their reason for being fundamentally in relation to him.

3. The earth and all things in it were created perfectlyeach creature in itself and the entire creation in its interrelatedness.

4. Even after the entrance of sin into the created order this perfection still shines through so as to be perceivable by man. Thus, creation continually bears witness to the perfections of God and promotes in man praise toward God.

While the foundational truth of God's creative work operates as an underlying assumption throughout most of Psalm 104, there are a few places where the psalmist explicitly asserts it (e.g., vv. 5-6), and at a moment of culmination in the psalm he breaks out with the passionate declaration to God, "Thou hast made. . " (v. 24). Clearly, the heavens and earth exist as a result of the exercise of God's sovereign creativity. The unique emphasis of this psalm, however, is on God's sustenance of his creation. "He makes springs pour water.... He waters the mountains.... He makes grass grow.... The trees of the Lord are well watered" (vv. 10, 13, 14, 16). And after providing a representative cataloging of some animal denizens of forest, mountain, badlands, and sea, the psalmist summarizes, "These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time" (v. 27). All creatures are completely dependent on God. When God provides, his creatures are satisfied (v. 28). When he "hides his face," they are terrified (v. 29). When God sends his "Spirit," there is new life (v. 30). When he takes breath away, life ceases (v. 29). Here is a significant extension of the Genesis account. Yes, creation exists only because it was called into existence by God. But it continues to exist only because of the continuous care of its Creator.