So as I gazed around my backyard I was impressed at how little in nature my home has disturbed. What hit me first, (as the droppings fell from the nest), were the doves that have made their homes in my patio eaves. In fact there were birds everywhere in my backyard, in the trees, on the wall and even on the telephone wires in the alley. Where would they perch if it weren’t for what we had planted, or built? There were ant holes, pack rat holes and an undetermined critter hole that was very large. All making their homes within the relatively safe confines of my walled backyard. It seems, in my back yard, that the animals have learned to adapt, and even thrive in what man has created. Then I looked at the plants we have planted and tended and our new garden. What would the world be like without man? What would be the reason for having an earth without man?
We have been given a commission by God to “rule the over the fish, the birds and all other living creatures” as it says in Genesis 1. And to till the land and be caretakers of the earth “by the sweat of our brow” as it says in Genesis 3. Frankly we are the reason that the earth and everything in it exists. The animals and plants were created for our sustenance and our pleasure and we have an obligation to maintain the earth and all that is in it. In the movie “Knowing” Nicholas Cage plays an MIT professor. He tells his students that either we are the result of “determinism” (intelligent design) or “randomism” (random coincidences) after he explained that the earth is perfectly located from the sun so that life could exist (yet he believed in randomism?). But, if the earth and all that is in it is the result of randomism, then we should be very afraid of a random cataclysmic event that could end the earth. If we are the result of intelligent design by an intelligent designer (God) don’t you think he has more control over what happens than we do?
6 comments:
What a great perspective you have shared on this subject! I never quite thought of it this way! I agree!
If we're a random product, then we shouldn't fear our own end(cataclysmic or not). Our feelings would mean nothing if we were random productions of nothingness, and if death brought us back to that nothingness. Seems pathetic for an Atheist to worry about their own end. When they end, they won't even know it happened - so what's to worry about?
Unless it's the ache put in our guts by God for us to find Him, that's something an Atheist should rightly worry about.
What you said has such balance to it. I think Christians are often times portrayed as not caring about the environment and yet, God has commissioned us to care for all living things, so above all, we should be the ones shown to care the most about the environment. The difference is, we choose to worship the Creator, not the creation.
Kathy said...I believe in media God has given us all a responsibility to stand up and be counted...what you have shared is so important and reflects what so many people feel but are afraid to share because they feel they might be classified as intolant. Whether we are readers, viewers or listeners, whether we make the news or report it, let's take a stand with a gentle Spirit and ask our God to lead us into bringing the USA back to God.
In my blog of June 8, I mention the three largest classes that freshmen will take at U of A this fall. The course descriptions of two of them ("oceanography" and "human-animal interrelationships") impute a negative impact and irresponsible role to humans. Maybe more of the curriculum writers should go and sit in their back yards, as Doug has. Good post, Doug.
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