The environment and the sacred

[TBC: In the July 1997 issue of the newsletter, we made note of the words of the late Carl Sagan, who declared that "any efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment need to be infused with a vision of the sacred." A concerned Nazarene church member recently drew our attention to a statement from page 59 of “Creation Care: Environmental Stewardship for the Church of the Nazarene,” released in 2005.]

“In this most critical moment in Earth’s history, we are convinced that the central moral imperative of our time is the care for Earth as God’s creation. Churches, as communities of God’s people in the world, are called to exist as representatives of the loving Creator, Sustainer, and Restorer of all creation. We are called to worship God with all our being and actions, and to treat creation as sacred. We must engage our political leaders in supporting the very future of this planet. We are called to cling to the true Gospel – for ‘God so loved the world’ (John:3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
See All...).”

[TBC: In the July 1997 article (“The Greening of the Cross”), Dave noted, “Reverence does not pertain to things but to persons. To reverence the impersonal creation instead of the personal God who created us is a perversion designed for escaping moral accountability to the Creator. God indicts those who worship the creation instead of its Creator (Rom:1:18-23 [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
See All...) and warns of the corruption of morals and behavior which results (24-32).”]