This really bothers me.  I know many Christians who seem to be obsessed with the environment and the ethics of how we treat animals.  I wonder if they are worshipping an idol?  Sometimes, in some cases, it sure seems that way.  I remember reading in the Bible…  That is God’s word, in case, some of you don’t recognize that is what we believe about it.  I know that has come into  question with some of our more liberal and green brothers and sisters.  Anyways, I remember God saying in His word, that He would destroy the earth with fire.  (1 Peter 3:3-18, Revelation 21:1-4)  So settle down and relax.  We aren’t going to ruin the joint.

Matter of fact, God put it under a curse just like us after the fall.  He wants us to conquer the Earth.  He wants us to subdue it.  It is intended for us to utilize its resources for the glory of God, by reducing human suffering, and increasing human flourishing.  Think about it.  Places where the Earth has been subdued, have roads, clean water, agriculture that produces animals for meat, and plants for food, electricity to light our nights, to power our machines, to warm us in winter, and cool us in summer, education which brings forth medicines and advances in the medical arts, culture, and so on.  If that isn’t good for human flourishing I dare you to take your unwashed hippy dippy slappy happy hind end out into the wilderness with no provisions from modern life, and survive for five years with no outside help.  Then let me know how well you flourished and helped others to flourish while reducing human suffering.  It ain’t gonna happen skippy.  Nope, the places around the Earth where human suffering is the greatest are the places that have not been subdued in any way.  If there were no electric heat or lights in McMurdo at the south pole there would be no human life there.

I’m not telling people to be careless with what we are entrusted.  I’m just telling them to stop worshipping the creation instead of the Creator.  Of course, we don’t foolishly strip mine, or cut an entire forest down without replanting trees.  Of course, we don’t pollute the air so badly that it poisons the water, soil, and plants for generations.  If people are suffering because we are afraid of ruining the breeding habitat of an owl, we move the owls and use the land.  If we can’t move the owls, I guess they have to die to make a better place for people.  Owls, after all, are not created in God’s image.  When it comes down to plants and animals versus humans, we always need to go with what will cause human flourishing and reduce human suffering.  These glorify God.  

1 Peter 3:3-18

3Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

     8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

     10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

     11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

     14Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Revelation 21:1-4

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”