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Post by runner4jesus on Feb 26, 2008 21:33:26 GMT -7
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Post by graham on Feb 28, 2008 15:13:46 GMT -7
I agree, So much for the catch phrase "Global Warming". Unfortunatly, the problem isn't global warming, it's CLimate change. Something which is as real as you or I. I know the Oil compaies and Republican senitors love to state otherwise, but it is pretty much a proven fact at this point. The only debatable issue is what will happen as a result. The thing that bothers me the most about this whole issue is how far Christians are willing to go to justify our screwing up our role as stewards. God placed us here to be stewards of the land, which, does not belong to us, and we've gone and trashed the place under the guise of God's chosen ones.
But hey, one day the master will return and I can imagine he will be none too pleased with how we've treated his property.
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Post by Eli Brayley on Feb 28, 2008 15:32:54 GMT -7
Wow Graham, way to accuse Christians with an unreasonably ludicrous charge, unless you're foolish enough to think that "oil companies and Republicans" are Christians...
God created this earth and SIN is the destroyer of it... however, isn't it interesting that the reason sin entered into the world in the first place was because men "worshiped and served the created thing rather than the Creator" when Eve saw that the fruit was "good for food and pleasant to the eyes" and disregarded the word of the Lord.
I love you man, but this post of yours was ridiculous. How about when Christ comes, shall He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)
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Post by graham on Feb 28, 2008 20:22:14 GMT -7
You're Right Eli, I apologize, I wrote that quickly out of frustration from recent experiences, and from reading the article, which I believe comes from a somewhat shaky source. I shall attempt to clarify what I meant. First of all, regardless of whatever mankind has done, in this case bring sin into the earth, all of creation belongs to God. When God Placed Adam into the Garden and commanded him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he first told him that he was to take care/tend to the garden. Some may argue that this command does not pertain to the world after the fall. However, if you read Job, it's pretty clear that God still hold's what he created with pride. Now in North American society, there is no arguing that we consume an unreasonable amount of resources, and when we compare ourselves to other nations, it's clear the wealth is not fairly distributed. Alongside our consumption come the by-product; Pollution, both solid and gaseous. We are among the top emission producers in the world. If these emissions just hovered around where they emerged, then we would suffer the consequences of our own lifestyle, unfortunately they are circulated throughout the atmosphere, and in doing so impact the weather patterns around the world, creating drought, floods, hurricanes. I am not trying to say that bad weather has never happened, but if you look at the statistics, there is no denying the increase in severity, and frequency of these occurrences. Now Christians have a place in all this. Many go the route of "if I ignore it, it doesn't affect me." They ignore the obvious signs around them and listen to the "science " put out by Republican skeptics, who in turn receive funding from big oil companies( I was in no way suggesting that Either of these two groups are Christians, but they are merely the ones Christians often look to). Because of this there is no movement to live a life that 1: is less consumerist, and 2: makes at least an effort to respect that which the creator has put before us. It is not worshiping creation to attempt to minimize the harm we do. I will admit there are many view points out there that try to mix Christian and Neo-pagan beliefs. But you can't let that turn you away from your God Given responsibility. After all, we are told to help those in need. What if our lifestyle resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people around the world. From South American Farmers who can't grow food because the ground has been decimated by corporate owned Cattle farms. To flood victims in Bangladesh. I am not suggesting that we all run around bare foot, eating Granola and joining Greenpeace ( Although Eli, in our younger days, it sure looked like we did  But at the very least we ought to do what we can. Is it really a burden to buy cloth bags rather then always using plastic? Or being aware of what we eat, and where it comes from, or even how it is packaged? How about being conservative in our power usage at home? Even hanging laundry to dry rather then always using the dryer. Obviously we are not going to fix the planet. it is a dying place, both physically and spiritually. But at the very least we can make an effort to be less of a burden to it, and more importantly, those around us. I hope this makes sense, I have a problem with getting what I think into print as I am neither articulate nor eloquent. But I believe that it is important we make the effort, and encourage others to do so. Should it be the priority? No. Spreading the gospel will always be the main focus. But living a "greener" lifestyle is not counter productive to this. In fact, it actually helps, "...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" Philippians 2:15 So once again, I apologize for the last post, it was presumptuous and entirely uncalled for. I hope this helps clarify what I intended. |
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Post by Eli Brayley on Feb 28, 2008 22:39:21 GMT -7
Thanks Graham. I appreciate the clarification, and I also apologize for sounding too harsh in my post, I wasn't trying to be, but it sure came across that way. This is the way I feel when I think about making a greener world: overwhelmed and over my head. I just don't see it realistically; this world would have to pull together corporately, deny our consumeristic habits and go out of the way to watch how we live... corporately. And I just don't see that happening, because 1) the sinfulness and selfishness of man, and 2) Christ told us 'famines, earthquakes and pestilences' would increase more and more until the end. Whether that be from pollution or not, it's not going away but only going to get worse. God alone can fix this earth, as I think we both are in full agreement. I want my energy to be spent on eternal things that will last forever. I'm not trying to damage the earth... but my stopping using bags won't shut down the factory that makes them, unless everybody were to stop... and the prospect of that are slim. That would take a lot of time and effort, time and effort which is better spent in reaching the lost. Wow, I hope that won't be taken wrong either  . Just my heart on it my dear friend, Yours wholeheartedly, -Eli |
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Post by graham on Feb 29, 2008 7:47:52 GMT -7
You're right Eli, it is very eas to feel overwhelmed. But at the same tme, if you start to do the little things, and you encourage others to do so as well, then it can make a difference. I know you didn;t mean it as a cope out. But to say that there's no point in doing anything because my actions alone won't help, would be similar to saying there's no point in feeding the hungry, because there are always hungry people. It's not about changing other people it's about changing yourself. Christians are meant to continualy be seeking perfection, and this is one aspect which we often disregard. Anyway, I hope all continues to o well with you. When are you coming back to Fredericton?
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Post by Eli Brayley on Feb 29, 2008 11:07:14 GMT -7
Graham, it will be good to see you again, but I imagine I won't be home until Christmas... so hopefully then we can reconnect. It is nice to have you on the boards though! I'll be thinking about what you've said.
Yours,
-Eli
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Post by runner4jesus on Feb 29, 2008 12:02:41 GMT -7
 This earth is wearing out like a moth eaten blanket. It's all coming down to the wire as God said it would. Our time spent here sojourning needs to be on the things that are above; about our Father's business. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection (focus your mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. We can be responsible but whatever we do is not going to stop what God has destined for this earth.
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But at the very least we ought to do what we can. Is it really a burden to buy cloth bags rather then always using plastic? Or being aware of what we eat, and where it comes from, or even how it is packaged? How about being conservative in our power usage at home? Even hanging laundry to dry rather then always using the dryer. Obviously we are not going to fix the planet. it is a dying place, both physically and spiritually. But at the very least we can make an effort to be less of a burden to it, and more importantly, those around us. 
. Just my heart on it my dear friend,
This earth is wearing out like a moth eaten blanket. It's all coming down to the wire as God said it would. Our time spent here sojourning needs to be on the things that are above; about our Father's business.