….but another relationship is possible

One significant theme of this year’s Season of Creation celebrations is restoring our relationship with God and creation. This month, I’ve participated in online events with other Christians ranging from prayer meetings, to panel discussions, to workshops. Around the world, the church is going deeper into understanding our connection to creation, and advocating for its care and protection.  

Last month, we explored Genesis 3 and the three types of alienations that occurred after Adam and Eve’s original sin. These three alienations are:

1. Alienation with our Creator God 

2. Alienation with other humanbeings 

3. Alienation with creation 

Genesis 3 foretells humanity’s broken relationship with nature, marked by hard labour and conflict. The characteristics of humanity’s fallen nature also include greed, exploitation, and domination, both in relation to other human beings and image bearers, but also creation. 

While greed and domination of nature have been the darker side of humanity’s relationship with nature throughout history, the Industrial Revolution has enabled human beings to use resources and produce waste into the environment on a scale that was unprecedented in human history. The exploitation of creation now occurs on a global scale and is characterized by the wholesale exploitation of the earth’s ecosystems on land, in the oceans, and the atmosphere.  

Human exploitation of land ecosystems includes the “slashing and burning” approach to Amazonian and Asian rainforests, where fires are deliberately set to destroy natural rainforests; to logging methods in Western Canada and the United States that remove all trees in the forests; to destructive mining techniques including mountain-top removal that is practiced across North and South America.

Human exploitation of oceans and water ecosystems include the dumping of plastic pollution, overfishing and destructive fisheries methods such as bottom-trawling the seafloor, and accidental and deliberate spilling of oil and fuel into rivers and oceans.    

In the atmosphere, climate change is the latest symptom of human exploitation of creation, with greenhouse gas pollution being emitted from the burning of coal, oil, and gas for electricity generation, for transportation on land, water, and in the air; in addition to excess carbon that is released from burning rainforests. Together, these gases trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming.  

What these practices all have in common is the application of a single objective of extracting resources quickly, regardless of the consequences to the ecosystems or to the future. Climate change is the latest symptom of our sin and rebellion against God, our greed, and our alienation from the rest of creation. In last month’s article, I discussed how humanity’s rate of resource consumption now outpaces the Earth’s natural abilities to regenerate and replenish.  

If creation is a reflection of God’s handiwork and glory, then its destruction cannot be bringing glory to God.  Another relationship with creation, one characterized by following the Biblical commands of wise stewardship, respect, and care is possible. The Christian tradition contains many examples of those who have demonstrated their care and love for God’s earth. 

A Rocha International is a modern example of Christian witness to this different relationship with creation.  A Rocha International implements nature conservation projects in unique, biodiversity-rich areas and regions of the world and connects human communities with nature. I have been blessed to visit A Rocha Canada’s centre, consisting of a protected plot of land, a stream, and a farm, and to see first-hand how their ministry invites people from all walks of life to explore their local creation and appreciate nature, and be inspired to protect it. Through my visit and experience with A Rocha Canada, I have been inspired to both better appreciate God’s creation around me, and has motivated my journey as a climate care advocate.  

As our “throughout-the-Bible” study of creation and climate care continues, journey along as I discuss the Biblical exegesis and theological analysis on how God’s salvation includes the healing of creation.  

Read the New Scientist article on nature destruction and its threats to humanity…

Join in intercessory prayer, through the Year of Prayer for Bold Climate Action