" The Ecological Problem "

Revelation 21:1-7   " And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from GOD out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, BEHOLD ! The tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD.

And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And HE that sat upon the throne said, BEHOLD, I make all things new. And HE said unto me, Write: for these WORD's are true and faithful. And HE said unto me, It is done.  I AM the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be MY son.

     The Naturalistic Worldview:  Man is part of a web of life that began billions of years ago. He came from the earth (his Mother) and harms his own body when he pollutes the earth. He can save his planet through a drastic implementation of ecological awareness, education, and environmental programs designed to improve sustainability. No hierarchical distinction exists between man, animal, and plant since all came from the same Mother. The human species is equal with all other life forms.

     The Religious Worldview:  It is almost identical to the naturalistic worldview except it promotes the belief that the divine is present in nature, and as a result, man hurts GOD (or whatever deity is thought to engage nature) when he hurts the environment.

     The Biblical Worldview:  GOD independently created plants, animals, and man as separate  "kinds."  Mankind is superior to plant and animal life because  "GOD created man in HIS OWN image" (Genesis 1:26-27) and has given him the ability to discern between right and wrong, the ability to have a relationship with GOD, and the ability to live forever. GOD commanded man to have dominion over plant and animal life. Yet man also possesses a responsibility to be a good steward of that which GOD has entrusted to him. Plants and animals are to be used for food and clothing (Genesis 1:27-30; 2:9, 16; 9:1-6). Man is distinct from plant and animal life and is required to act accordingly.

     The  Answer:  JESUS CHRIST will create new heavens and a new earth one day after destroying this earth in judgement (2nd.Peter 3:10-14). Man must be a good steward of earthly resources, but he is not able to save the planet through his own efforts. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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