Glocal Christianity

The world is waiting

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)

So? What are you waiting for?

Reveal yourself.

Take action against climate change.

Be careful of the skeptics you wish for

My mate Simeon has drawn my attention to the fact that Ian Plimer, whom Christian senator Steve Fielding has nominated as his anti-climate change champion, is also the author of "Telling Lies for God", an anti-creationism book. Simeon rightly asks if Fielding realises whom he's just jumped into bed with. I just ask about Plimer's scientific objectivity. Ironies abounding this week.

Cosmetic Cruelty

The caption reads: For long eyelashes, this is how 300,000 lab animals suffer each year.

What do God have to say?

Genesis 49:6 - Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.

Exodus 23:12 - Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.

Proverbs 12:10 - A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

Earth-sized planets are just right for life

I find it fascinating that the more and more we discover about planets, the more and more special ours looks. Here's the latest from New Scientist:

THE discovery of extrasolar super-Earths - rocky planets about five to ten times the mass of Earth - has raised hopes that some may harbour life. Perhaps it's a vain hope though, since it now seems that Earth is just the right size to sustain life.

Life is comfortable on Earth in part because of its relatively stable climate and its magnetic field, which deflects cosmic radiation capable of damaging organic molecules as well as producing amazing auroras (see right).

The long-term stability of Earth's climate depends on the way the planet's crust is broken up into plates, which continually slide over and under one another in a process called plate tectonics. Carbon scrubbed from the atmosphere by natural chemical reactions gets buried and recycled within the Earth because of plate tectonics, part of a cycle that stabilises atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

Now it seems rocky worlds have to be about the size of Earth to have both plate tectonics and magnetic fields, says Vlada Stamenkovic of the German Aerospace Center in Berlin. His team will present the work at the European Planetary Science Congress in Potsdam, Germany, on 15 September.

Heat from Earth's core creates the convection currents needed for plate tectonics. Such currents generate the force to tear the crust, produce multiple plates and move those plates around.

Stamenkovic's team found that the pressure and viscosity inside a super-Earth would be so high that a stagnant, insulating layer would form outside the core, weakening the convective currents needed to drive plate tectonics thus making the process unlikely. A 2007 study that concluded super-Earths were prone to plate tectonics did not account for the increase in viscosity that produces the stagnant layer (New Scientist, 13 October 2007, p 20).

The researchers also found that the slow transfer of heat out of the core in super-Earths would prevent a sufficiently rapid circulation of their molten cores, robbing them of a magnetic field.

Planets about 0.5 to 2.5 times the mass of Earth are most likely to support plate tectonics. The limits are fuzzier for magnetic field generation, but also favour Earth-sized planets. "Earth is special," says Stamenkovic.

But astrobiologist David Grinspoon of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado points out that Venus seems to have recycled its crust in volcanic outbursts despite a lack of plate tectonics. While this has not stabilised Venus's climate, he says, the possibility that other forms of crustal recycling on super-Earths might do so should not be ruled out. "There may be super-Earths that have intelligent life that has concluded that no life is possible on puny planets such as ours," says Grinspoon.

Whether you attribute this to the anthropic principle or something else, the implications for Fermi's paradox are obvious. We are rarer than we thought.

The Greening of Jesus

Here's some comments on the greening of Jesus from Havard Divinity School

Yet increasingly, the fundamentalist view of climate change is losing force and is being challenged by other scientists who are equally devout in their evangelical beliefs. At Cambridge the renowned reproductive biologist and ethicist Sir Brian Heap, a self-described "open-minded evangelical," is a leading advocate of addressing climate change. He said he had no difficulty reconciling his personal faith and scientific discovery and advocacy. "When doing my own bench research, it was clear that personal faith influenced decisions about the wisdom of carrying out certain experimentation." He continued, "The religious foundation comes from the Christian motivation to seek the best for others...for the world we too easily damage."

Encouraging to read. There is still a long way to go in terms of behavioural change, but its becoming clearer and clearer that the centre has shifted, that more and more Christians, including evangelicals, recognise creation care as a Christian moral issue.

How “green” should the Christian be?

Many people still fail to see the environmental implications of the resurrection of Jesus. Take this comment for instance. 

Nowhere in the New Testament is sin, salvation, or the gospel ever defined in terms of corporate ecological responsibility. Rather than being consumed with the things of this earth, believers are commanded to focus on the life to come.

You can read the full comment here, but I just want to draw attention to the blind spots embedded in just these sentances alone.

• Firstly, why is the questioning of mindless consumption, the content of much environmental debate, so incompatable with moving on from "being consumed with the things of this earth" as this person advocates? Is the connection between environmental exploitation, greed and sin so difficult to see? 

• Secondly, are we not called to live out the life to come in the now? Does not the live to come involve a restoration of relationship between God, creation and creatures?

Green Christian Manifesto

With this month’s synchroblog being on green spirituality I though it might be appropriate to share a few thoughts from a passage which has heavily influenced my thinking about the environment over the years, and which I take as a manifesto for an environmentally conscious Christianity. The passage is Romans 8:18-25:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

This is a passage of hope, and more, of a hope that encompasses the entire creation. It includes a sober assessment of the frustration and decay that the environment now suffers, but says IT WILL NOT END THERE. Paul’s words here are light years away from the prophetic speculations of some Christians who think that the world will one day be “Left Behind”. No, the apostle Paul here counsels that the reign of God includes the renewal of creation, its rebirth.

This naturally leads to the question, so what does that mean for me here and now? My response is, if God does not consider the earth to be disposable, should we?

But there is more. Buried within this passage is a veiled reference to Genesis 3:19, where God warns Adam, “Cursed is the ground because of you” because of human sin.  It suggests that environmental degradation and human sin are inextricably linked. Should it surprise us then, that we are now being told that human exploitation, indifference and greed has led to global warming, desalination of the land, pollution, mercury poisoning and all sorts of environmental problems. This is sin coming back to bite us.

So the environmental challenge is an ethical challenge. But you know, I would say the problem is even deeper than this. Here’s another passage, this time Habakkuk 2:18:

Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

Our environmental challenges are also inextricably linked with out economic challenges, and the question I ask here is, have we turned our economy into an idol? In our cost benefit analysis of environmental issues, where do non-economic issues come into it? Should we bow down to market forces when it comes to how we treat each other and God’s earth or should we challenge the sovereignty of Mammon? I ask a rhetorical question of course. It’s obvious what I think I should think.

For more synchroblogger thoughts see:

Is it All About the Green? by Phil Wyman
Rediscovering Humanity's Primal Commission by Adam Gonnerman
Turn or Burn? A New Liberal Hell? by Cobus van Wyngaard
Little Green Man by Sonja Andrews
Bashing SUV's for Jesus by David Fisher
Saints and Animals by Steve Hayes
When Christians Weasel Out by KW Leslie

Hello Possum

Sometimes my job as a Facility Manager has some unexpected turns.

Earlier today one of the cleaners (another Christian, and very faithful one I might add) came to me with this baby possum he found in the building courtyard after a storm. He waited two days to see if his mum came back for him but unfortunately it was a no show. So, he wanted permission to take him to an animal shelter down the road, which of course I said yes to. Cute little guy isn’t he.

Earth Hour Reflections

In case anyone was wondering, no I wasn't blogging during Earth Hour last night. That last post was pre-written and pre-programmed to launch while I was otherwise occupied.

What I was actually doing was having a relaxing chat with my wife and elder son by candlelight in our dining area after our younger son went to bed. Very civilized.

My son was old enough to actually appreciate a bit of what was going on this year and I took the opportunity to join some of the dots for him between our actions and our sacred stories. As a four year old, the story of Noah is one he already knows fairly well and we explained, "Just as Noah took care of the animals when they were in danger, we're doing this to take care of the animals too." He got the point, we should care for all life. God gave us this beautiful world God to live in - we should respect his gifts.

Christian Environmental Theology

What do you think are some of the challenges that remain for Christian environmental theology? I am presuming here that, if you're the sort of Christian that likes a blog like mine, you're not the sort of Christian who needs to have the dots joined between Christian ethics, creation care and environmental theology. But where do we go beyond the basic joining of the dots? How much more remains to be done.

So, with those questions in mind I was running some searches on Christian environmental theology and came across a few links which may interest some of you.
 

Celebrating Christ with Creation - A Theology of Worship for The Season of Creation "We often do theology in a vacuum, detached from the context of daily life, personal experience or common worship. The theological outline in this work arises from two specific living contexts: the environmental crisis facing our planet and our regular worship life in community.  More specifically, this outline also provides a theological basis for a new season of the church year, namely, The Season of Creation."

What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology? "In this timely and important work, John Hart offers an in-depth analysis of Catholic Church teachings on the environment and environmental themes."

This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment "From Christian ecotheology and Buddhist critiques of economic globalization to religious environmental activism and spiritual practices to celebrate the sacredness of nature, the book includes careful scholarship, groundbreaking theology, historical analysis, and accounts of real world struggles. Fully engaged with both the world's religious traditions and the worldwide environmental crisis, This Sacred Earth is an invaluable teaching resource and inspiring introduction to religion's complex relationship to the environment."

The Place of Environmental Theology: A guide for seminaries, colleges and universities "The Conference brought together participants from various parts of Europe to explore the theology of creation care and how seminaries, theological colleges and faculties, and Christian training courses across Europe could be encouraged to build a concern for the environment into every aspect of the life of Christian communities – in learning and living as the people of Christ."

Personally I think much work needs to be done with worship, with leadership training, with apologetics, and of course, with practice. Where do you see blind spots and opportunities for growth?

World Environment Day

Take a moment to reflect on what we are doing to this world. God's world. What is happening? What are we doing? Where is the Spirit moving in this? To what is the Spirit calling us?

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan selected for 2007 is  Melting Ice – a Hot Topic? See the official website here.

One Giant Walk

While I am blogging on Earth Hour I also recommend everyone check out the blog and website of Sarah Bishop - One Giant Walk. Sarah is a 22 year old student who has just completed a 1000 kilometer walk from Brisbane to Sydney to raise awareness of global warming.

Challenging the conventional wisdom that Australians, and particularly young Australians, don't care about global warming, Sarah has demonstrated she cares with the blisters on her own feet.

Inspired by "An Inconvenient Truth" and Tim Flannery's book "The Weather Makers", Sarah's initial plan to collect signatures for the Get Up Climate Action Now campaign has grown to include school presentations, organising mass public walks, holding meetings with local councils and fund raising for climate change organisations. In the process she's become an ambassador for Earth Hour. You can also read about her in today's paper or watch her on YouTube.

Pretty amazing don't you think?

Earth Hour

Remember Sydney, Earth Hour is tonight 7.30pm.

Signal your commitment to reducing global warming. Get off stand-by and unplug any appliances - mobile phone charger, TV, microwave, MP3 player - that are not being used. Spread the word.

For more information on Earth Hour, visit the official Earth Hour site.

God vs Gaia? Give me a Break!

This really annoys me. On the eve of the NSW elections the Christian Democrat Party are circulating material amongst Australian Christians claiming that a vote for the Greens is a vote against God and for Gaia. Pheh!

Now, while I don't agree with everything the Greens stand for -  their drug policies for instance - this claim is just sickening. It's based on a guilt by association argument, that if some Pagans support the environment then the whole movement is idolatrous. What I consider idolatrous is the CDP's effective embrace of gnostic spirit/body moral dualism.

What's more, in a blatant act of religious discrimination, Fred Nile also wants to ban Muslim immigration. What Fred, believer's baptism not good enough any more? You want the forced piety of Christendom back do you? Check the implications of your stuff mate.

Read the Daily Telegraph article, "Unholy Alliance, The Preference," for more details.

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal

John Smulo has been writing on God's love for animals over at Smulo Space.  I  have often found it disturbing how little regard some of my fellow Christians have for God's creatures. I don't see how it's so hard to join the dots, I mean, haven't they ever read about Noah? Hello! But that's the unfortunate reality.

Yet there is a growing body of writings by Christian theologians who have risen to the challenge.  John's essay at Sacred Tribes is a helpful summary of some of the issues.

My own personal view is, to whatever degree it is possible, go cruelty free. I don't buy into vegetarianism, but I don't buy into battery hen eggs either. I think the growing awareness that global warming is a moral issue needs to be matched by some ethical inquiries into factory farming and animal testing, particularly where alternatives are available.

A poem that often gets me thinking is this:

God in his wisdom made the fly
And then forgot to tell us why.

The reason why is, while I do not know why there are flies, I know there is a reason, I know they are part of the ecological cycles that sustain our existance. I choose to talk about flies simply because typically we have so little regard. But if God created and called them good, should we not at least pause to think about it? Maybe we should listen to the Jains just a wee bit - I may disagree with their extremism but I think some listening would not go astray.

Here's another fly poem by William Blake:

Little Fly
Thy summers play,
My thoughtless hand
Has brush'd away.

Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?

For I dance
And drink and sing
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.

If thought is life
And strength and breath;
And the want
of thought is death;

Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.

Why not sit and meditate on it for a minute? I don't know all the answers but I do think the ethical responsibility of Christians should be recognized as encompassing care for endangered animals, tortured animals and exploited animals. There are many areas where ethical clarity is still elusive, and I admit I myself have been far from perfect, but ethical issues there are a plenty.