WALDROP:

For many people, examining their faith for environmental themes actually turns up nothing. Their faith is defined so narrowly that anything “green,” such as “Environmental Justice,” sounds like heresy. They may even believe that “Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going,” a song popularized years ago by country artist Tom. T. Hall.

The big problem here Scripture says of Jesus: “for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible ... all things have been created through him and for him ... and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:15-17 Green Bible/NRSV). That includes animals, plants, land and all other things we have taken so much for granted that their health, even their very existence in some cases, is threatened; and eventually, our own.

Have we forgotten that God included “every living creature” in his covenant with Noah, not just human beings (Gen. 9:8-17)?  Even something as common as a rainbow should remind us of that (v.16).

Jesus’ teachings are often bright “green,” even basing some of them on a weather forecast.  He said: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Luke 12:54-56).
Jesus assumed that an accurate understanding of weather conditions can form the basis of spiritual truth; that is, spiritual reality can be based on accurate views of climate and environment. Jesus knew that his disciples then could at least understand weather conditions. Their problem was spiritual, not meteorological. Today, his disciples can’t seem to agree on their climatology or meteorology, especially global warming. Until we get those “forecasts” right, what hope is there to forecast spiritual truth that is based upon them? 

Adam and Eve’s sin as recorded in Genesis affected more than human beings. It sent Richter sized ripples throughout all creation. When they were tossed out of the Garden, nature was left without their expert care. Animals and plants, land and water no longer had perfect human teaching, tending, or appreciation. God’s creation now showed cracks, like a mishandled piece of art. Man and woman were set against each other; both were set against God, and the natural world was left unguarded at best, sometimes misdirected, by human sinfulness; as it is today. And the natural world suffers alongside the rest of us.

The Apostle Paul taught that the earth still suffers the consequences of that primeval human rebellion. It has its own “bondage to decay”; in fact, “the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves” (Romans 8:19-25).The image of childbirth symbolizes the hope that humans and nature will be delivered from the subjugation that God planned as a redemptive measure to human sin.

In the account of Balaam and his little donkey (Num. 22:22-35; 2Peter 2:15-16), a disobedient Balaam was riding away from God when an angel stood on the road and blocked his way. Only the donkey recognized the angel for which Balaam beat him, even when the donkey lay down at the angel’s feet. After more beatings, “the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey” and he spoke out against such abuse.

Do we not see God’s angels tending to environmental justice ... anywhere?