I have noticed that some evangelical Christians really do not like Earth Day or environmentalism in general. I would like to identify some of those reasons and then give a response.
1. It is anti-rapture. Some Christians are so eager for the rapture that they think any attempt to protect the environment is a slap in the eschatological face. They see it as no more than rearranging the chairs on the sinking Titanic. We might as well take what we can now as God is soon going to get us off this dying planet.
2. It is anti-God. Some Christians closely identify all environmentalism with nature worship. The only reason someone would want to take care of the environment is if they worship it. If people are taking care of Gaea, they must hate God.
3. It is anti-conservative. Some Christians understand environmentalism as being a part of the liberal agenda. It is part of the plan to force climate change on us. Even if there was benefit to the planet (and us), to become environmentally friendly would give the liberals too much of a foothold.
I will respond to the rapture idea in another post. As for the nature worship, the question is not the origins of environmentalism but whether God wants us to do it. To reject something because of its origin is called the genetic fallacy. Is creation care a part of God’s design? The first couple of chapters of Genesis would seem to say yes. What about helping the liberals? If you have read my blog for some time you will know that I have no patience for the culture war. I look for the truth rather than how it will help the conservatives or hurt the liberals.
Nature and creation glorifies God. How does God feel when we abuse creation?
- Conservative
- Culture War
- Earth Day
- Environmentalism
- Liberal
- Nature Worship
- Rapture
