1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Should Christians be Good Caretakers of God's Creation?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by JustChristian, May 12, 2008.

?
  1. Yes. He charged us with being good stewards of His Creation.

    37 vote(s)
    94.9%
  2. No. Just because God made everything doesn't require for us to preserve it.

    2 vote(s)
    5.1%
  1. queenbee

    queenbee Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2008
    Messages:
    312
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you BB for these scriptural reminders. When it comes right down to it, we all have to ask ourselves each and every day, what is it that God would have me do to reverence the people in my life and the natural world around me?

    I cannot for the life of me believe that God who created and gave us this beautiful world in the first place would willingly turn a blind eye to mankind's selfishness about His gift and let us go with no questions asked. No, I think there will be a lot of fessin' up to do. If it's a sin to kill, engage in adultery, steal and disrespect our Heavenly Father in that manner, it's as much a sin and disrespect to selfishly use/destroy His creation he gave us.
     
  2. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2002
    Messages:
    8,136
    Likes Received:
    3
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The Luke verse is essentially telling the discerning reader that after all has been said and done, everything that man or other creatures have that sustains their physical life and existence here on earth is from and of God.
    The very oxygen in the air that the blaspheming, proud, God-hating atheist breathes is from God, and God can take it back anytime.
    Likewise, the same oxygen in the air that the Godly child of God takes in with every breath is a gift from God.

    Having said that, I fail to see where the charge to preach or to "share" the gospel for whatever purpose those sharing it have, includes telling the righteous and the wicked to protect, preserve, and love this creation or this world.

    This world, in God's mind, has long ago been "gone to the dogs", and will continue down that path until God Himself puts an end to that path. Until then, personally, my charge according to the Bible is to preach the gospel to all who will listen, wherever and whenever the opportunity is granted by the Spirit for His own purposes.

    Remember those two Israelis who put out their hand to stop the Ark from falling to the ground ?

    God did not reward them, did He, now ?

    He slew them.

    And yet, without a doubt, according to the Bible, the Shekinah glory of God resided in that ark !

    God is more than able to protect and preserve His creation, if He so wishes.

    I am not advocating the senseless and unwarranted destruction of beasts, animals, plants, fowls, or trees, neither do I advocate the cessation of the eating of animal or fish meat as PETA did, sometime ago, but, again, the Genesis charge to Adam (who is the federal head of him whom we call "man") is to subdue the earth, which, I sincerely believe, means to use the earth in accordance to how it benefits man.

    Like it or not, admit it or not, everybody has been party in more ways than one, to the destruction and wanton use of this creation, and will continue to do so, with or without activists advocating its "preservation" and Christian use.


    This is not my Father's World.
    When they sing that song in some Baptist churches we've gone to, we step out.
    My Father's world is that world which He created before the fall, and that world where He is now, and which is soon to be the world in which His children will live.
     
  3. nunatak

    nunatak New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Pinoybaptist, what a great post!!:thumbs: :applause:

    Thanks for saying what I was thinking, only much better.

    I haven't heard that song, This is not my Father's world.

    But, I have heard the song by Petra, Perfect World, I recommend it to all, if you like Christian rock.

    I still agree with Paul, I want to know nothing save for Christ and him crucified.
     
  4. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I certainly agree that we have to set the proper priorities. It's also possible to do anything out of proportion. But does the importance of doing one good thing mean that nothing else good should be done? Does saving babies mean we shouldn't provide emergency aid after a cyclone or an earthquake like those that have happened recently in the far East? Or help poor orphan children who are alive but not for long without aid?
     
  5. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    So you don't believe that Christians should be good caretakers of God's creation?
     
  6. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    So, you don't think we have any responsibility in this area. God will take care of everything. Can you show me where it says that in the Bible?
     
  7. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I certainly agree with you that preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing that should be done from the pulpit. But does your statement mean that you never preach anything from the Old Testament? Never preach about creation? Never preach from the Psalms or Proverbs? Never preach the Ten Commandments?
     
  8. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2003
    Messages:
    44,448
    Likes Received:
    1
    Please point out in my post exactly what gave you that idea...

    I said we are not to put animals above man because that is not the way God meant for it to be.

    Of course, we are to take care of all of God's creation, but surely if it came to saving the life of an animal or saving the life of a human being created in God's image, I surely hope you would save the human life!
     
  9. nunatak

    nunatak New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, and I will repeat myself how to preach from the Old Testament, et. al.
     
  10. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Of course not. Here's an analagy that explains how I see this issue:

    My house is on fire and I have a little time to save what is most important to me. First, I would make sure all my family and friends were out of the house, then I'd try to save my pets. Next would come important things of value, whether sentimental or monetary value. The last thing I would try to save would be something like, say, the carpet. Now, if I had lots of time and everything truly important were out of the house, I might try to save replacable items like furniture or pictures. But why would I save the goldfish when the baby is still in the house?

    Do you see what I'm getting at? Yes, it's a "good thing" to save the planet, but I cannot focus my energies on that until the more important priorities are in order. It's like worrying about the windshield wiper fluid when the car needs a new motor.
     
  11. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    So if someone asks you whether a Christian should tell a lie your answer would be that they shouldn't murder or steal? Nothing else matters?
     
  12. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2003
    Messages:
    44,448
    Likes Received:
    1
    Prioritize, BaptistBeliever, prioritize!
     
  13. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    What matters is that the heart is right before God. My answer would be that if we love God with all of our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves, our other priorities will fall in line and we won't lie or steal or murder.

    Harming the planet, murdering unborn babies, lying, etc. are all symptoms of a bigger disease--not being right with God. That's why our top priority should be to preach Christ. When we're right with God, the other stuff will naturally fall into place. Working hard to save the earth is noble, but it's only treating a symptom, not the root cause.
     
  14. nunatak

    nunatak New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    445
    Likes Received:
    0
    if only...
     
  15. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I would agree that being a good steward of God's creation is a part of being right with God. So is not murdering the unborn or in general preserving the sanctity of life. If none of these should be emphasized individually then preserving creation should not be emphasized either.
     
  16. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I would agree that if we're right with God everything else will fall into line. I'm not a radical environmentalist. I just hate to see those who work to preserve God's environment labeled as liberals and radicals. That's true in the sense that all Christians are radicals in the eyes of the world.
     
  17. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I agree that we shouldn't foolishly waste what God has given us. On the other hand, we are commanded to go make discipes, not go save the trees. Heaven and earth WILL pass away, but God's word will endure forever. That's why our top priority should be to win souls.

    By the way, I think it would be hypocritical to throw one's McDonald's wrappers out the car window on the way to church!:laugh:
     
  18. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Be good stewards of all that God has given us yes. Be beholden to a leftist socialist political agenda to place a higher priority on plants and animals than man no. And it is a political socialist/communist leftist agenda even among those who claim Christianity.
     
  19. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I agree that evangelism is a Christian's top priority. Does that mean we don't have any other Christian goals?
     
  20. JustChristian

    JustChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2007
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    0

    I've posted plenty of scripture that says you're wrong. Post some scripture that says that Christians should NOT be good stewards of God's creation and then I'll consider your argument (ranting).
     
Loading...