The Green Bible.

By Rod Mitchell in All Sorts

key themes in the Bible relating to the care of the environment

SOME YEARS AGO, I had a conversation with a Conservative Christian person who had a scientific training and was busy arguing that all climate change was fraudulent and inaccurate and did not represent anything credible. I was initially taken aback by his response and wondered how best to respond. I knew that any approach from a biblical perspective would only fuel more vigourously the debate. So I decided intuitively to go for a simple argument that I hoped might make some sense. I, first of all, got agreement from him that creation was something that was valuable and needed to be cared for. Then I suggested that whether the scientists were correct or not about climate change and predicted disasters, we as human beings needed to be responsible citizens who were willing to leave creation in a good state for the next generation. This response sent my Conservative Christian into a reflective silence, so the debate came to a shuddering halt. Since that time some ten years have past, I have wondered if a more satisfactory response could have been made. You the reader may have some immediate better suggestions from your own similar personal encounters. Or you could imaginatively test yourself out trying to respond to President Trump and his unwillingness to give any credence to the climate change issue.
Just recently I came across the ‘Green Bible.’ This is a international and inter denominational group of respected scholars hardly the light headed liberals who you might quickly be able to dismiss.At the back of the Green Bible there is a trail Guide which takes you through six key themes each of which is identified with some biblical passages for further exploration.
1. Theme 1: And it was good
a. Genesis 1:1 – 31; 2: 1 – 4 b. Genesis 9: 8 – 17
c. Psalm24:1–2
d. Job 38 – 39
e. Psalm 104
2. Theme 2: Finding God in and through creation
a. Exodus 3: 1 – 6
b. Psalm 147
c. John 1: 1-5
d. Colossians 1: 15-20
e. Acts 17: 24 - 28
3. Theme 3: Connected to Creation
a. Genesis 2: 4 – 25
b. Exodus 23: 10 -13
c. Leviticus 26: 3 – 26
d. Revelation 11:15 – 19
e. Psalm 65
4. Theme 4: Creation Care as Justice
a. Micah 6:1 – 8
b. Isaiah 58:10 – 12
c. 2 Corinthians 5: 14 -21
d. Luke 10: 25-37
e. Matthew 25:31 - 46
5. Theme 5: The full Impact of Sin
a. Genesis 3: 14 – 19
b. Hosea 4: 1 – 3
c. Ezekiel 34: 17 – 22
d. Numbers 35: 33 – 34
e. Romans 8:18 - 25 6.
Theme 6: The New Earth
a. Isaiah 11: 1 – 9
b. Isiah 65: 17 – 25
c. Joel2:18–27
d. Revelation 21: 1 – 5
e. Revelation 22: 1 – 5
Finally there is a section in the Green Bible describing a number of very sensible and practical suggestions for how as individuals and as a church community we might contribute to improving our environment. Here’s the 50 idea: Follow Grandmother’s advice: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” What biblical passages might come to mind in relation to this piece of wisdom?
Rod