I have often said that, looking back in 50 years time, one of the main things future generations will judge us on will be the way we have disregarded the environment. Yet, what has this got to do with the Christian Faith, and does God have anything to say on the matter? From the 16th September, we will be embarking on a Sunday morning series which hopes to answer these questions. The series is entitled “The environment – why should we care?” and will be based on a recent publication called ‘The Green Bible’*.
Rather than just another book about the environment, the Green Bible relates environmental issues and concerns directly to God’s word as revealed in scripture. It contains the full text of the Bible, with passages with particular reference to the environment lettered in green (and is, reassuringly, printed on recycled paper). It is not just a Bible, however. It also has a 150 page introduction with articles by well known Christian writers (including James Jones, N.T. Wright, Ellen Davis, Desmond Tutu, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Pope John Paul II). It also has a very useful index. Even without the Biblical text, it would be a useful resource to possess.
Our Sunday morning services will also be part of a ‘Whole Church Study Programme’, where you will have the opportunity to sign up to one of the discussion groups meeting at various times during the week to discuss the issues raised. Discussion will be based around the ‘Green Bible Trail Guide’ – six weeks of daily readings found at the back of the Green Bible, which takes us through the basics of our faith as seen from the wider perspective of the whole of God’s Creation. It includes passages to read and questions to discuss. It also includes ideas for practical application, and a section entitled ‘Where do you go from here?’
The themes, which we will be preaching on each Sunday, are as follows:
The environment – why should we care?
…because God made it and it is good
…because it is where God can be found
…because it cares for us
…because God wants us to
…because our sin is harming it
…because of God’s promise that all will be made new
So, look out for the sign-up sheets, and try to get involved. Remember, the better informed we are the more we can do, and the more we can do, the better the future will be for our children and for their children too.
Much love
John
*The Green Bible is published by Collins, and can be ordered through the Faith Mission Bookshop