Why I Care: Raymond Randall

Confessions of a Closet Environmentalist

Could I really have a concern or passion for our environment, and our earthly resources? Surely not, because that would clearly mean I would have to forsake my chosen political party; abandon my affinity for capitalism; scoff at the cable news channel and AM radio talk show hosts I’ve enjoyed for years; endure the ridicule of my Christian friends who think I’ve gone off the deep end; and maybe even adopt a tree or lease a pontoon boat with which I can circle oil tankers during spring breaks with my family. That all seems so unappealing and unrealistic; yet recently God has been leading me to be a better steward of His creation. Thanks to His nudging, I have begun to realize that I don’t have to do all those things listed above, but I do have a responsibility–or really a mandate–to be obedient to His word, and therefore be a good steward of the all resources with which He has blessed me, my community and this world. I am realizing this is a responsibility I have clearly neglected. And the more I reflect on this, I believe the church community at large has also been negligent.

My transformation began in late 2005 as I started consulting for a large company regarding their “sustainability” initiatives–their efforts to make wise decisions today that will not prevent future generations from meeting their own needs. I began the project skeptically, assuming that you were either a capitalist or an environmentalist, but never both. But as the project progressed and solutions emerged, I began to realize that it was not only possible to champion both causes, but there could be substantial advantage, both competitively and socially, in mastering both ideals. Hmmmm…my mindset was beginning to shift.

Then I watched The Great Warming at Northland, A Church Distributed, in September 2006. I decided to attend mostly because I have great respect for my pastor, and he has become passionate about this issue. (I clearly wouldn’t have seen Al Gore’s movie for fear of being identified as an imposter for someone who really cared.) He invited the congregation to the viewing and I thought it would be good for me to hear “the other side.” (Of course, I also attended because I hoped there would be a good catfight between the environmentalists and the cynics.) I was right on both fronts. It was both educational and entertaining. But as the divided audience continued to voice their opinions about the merits or fallacies of global warming, I found myself wondering what it really mattered? Why would our commitment and desire to obey His word depend on science, trends, political platforms or celebrity endorsements? Don’t we have a responsibility, regardless of those things, to be obedient?

So now I find myself with a few new perspectives, and I’m enjoying the transformation. I’ve learned that businesses can still thrive when they adopt a new mindset regarding the environment. I’ve learned that there are infinite opportunities for me to be a better steward of a gift and resource I had previously neglected–His creation. I’ve learned that taking care of His creation is another way I can love my neighbors, even those on the other side of the world. I’ve learned that having discussions on this topic can initiate dialogs and relationships with people whom might never have wanted to talk to me, hear about God, or step in a church. Lastly, I’ve been reminded that my obligation to obey His word is not dependent upon any prerequisite. Creation Care is not an option, or something for fanatics—it is a responsibility for all Christians.

Raymond Randall
Winter Park, FL

Comments

[Janice Matchett Orlando, Fl.]

I'm at a loss to understand why you and Joel Hunter would think that Christian conservative capitalists have never been all that concerned about caring for the environment.

The argument isn't about whether it is important to be good stewards of God's creation, but it is over whose ideas will prevail and be implemented by government entities as policy using our tax dollars.

For instance, here is a comment I made and posted just before the debate that Newt Gingrich had with John Kerry:

"Newt had better argue from the principles layed out below, or I won’t be supporting his argument:

#1 Principle, being:

Excerpt:
VIII. Environmental policies which emanate from liberty are the most successful.

Our chosen environment is liberty, and liberty is the central organizing principle of America. To be consistent with our most cherished principle, our environmental policies must be consistent with liberty. Restricting liberty not only denies Americans their chosen environment, but also constrains environmental progress.

Liberty has powerful environmental benefits. Freedom unleashes forces most needed to make our environment cleaner, healthier and safer for the future. It fosters scientific inquiry, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, rapid information exchange, accuracy and flexibility. Free people work to improve the environment, and liberty is the energy behind environmental progress.”

Individuals, Liberty and the Environment
The American Conservation Ethic
http://web.archive.org/web/20050306053745/http://www.nwi.org/ACE.html

© 1996 by the National Wilderness Institute
P.O. Box 25766, Washington, DC 20007
ph: (703)836-7404 fx: (703)836-7405 E-mail: nwi@nwi.org

Now if Joel Hunter's purpose in speaking out for "creation care" is to prevent the highly vocal eco-extremists (and the cynical opportunists who use them) from continuing to co-opt environmental issues as if they are the only ones who "care" about them, then I'm in cautious agreement with him.

But unless he also encourages the church to embrace the principles layed out at the link above, rather than helping Al Gore, Maurice Strong, etal., to promote fraudulent "carbon trading" businesses they're involved in (including the now-defunct Enron Corp.), I can't support his efforts.

If he really is an indoctrinated "true believer" in the monstrous scam called "Anthropogenic-induced Global Warming" which uses faulty computer models (clouds aren't included) in order to find evidence to blame humans for killing Mother Gaia, I will be greatly disappointed in him, even though I love him and think he is a nice man.

You (and he) may find me commenting more on this subject in threads like this, if you're interested:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1864090/posts?page=327#327

Warm regards,
Janice

[Jonathan]

I have been participating in worship with the Northland community for six months and have been frankly overwhelmed with all of the emphasis on the environment. Although I haven't heard any emphasis on "Mother Earth" as the previous comment referenced, I am confused as to how light bulbs, wrapping my water heater in a blanket, and recycling with more vigor contributes in any way to my participation in the Genesis mandate? However, even more confusing and somewhat frustrating is that "obedience" to God's word has lead the author to do the above actions. Therefore by extension, I might be compelled to ask where has God laid out these actions in His word? I already know the response. The question is rhetorical. Obviously God has not weighed in on these issues.

It would seem that no Christian can really argue against "taking care" of Creation. The real argument seems to be on what that Creation Care looks like. The Apostle Paul argued pretty well that we should not go against conscience. Therefore if your conscience feels weighed by certain issue, then by all means please follow up on it. Yet, corporately, are we to be "governed" by the subtle nuances of a few twinges within the soul of another? Or is there some greater governing principle?

The problem I can't seem to get away from is if Dr. Hunter was really committed to environmental issues why did Northland pave their parking lot? Clearly Central Florida requires rainfall to replenish the aquifer that supplies all of our drinking water. Pavement prevents rainwater from seeping into the ground. Thus, by extension of Randall's philosophy, he shouldn't be feeling very good about this environmental devastation that is occurring each and every time it rains. Further, since asphalt is primarily produced by chemicals found in petroleum we might further conclude that these chemicals will eventually find their way into the drinking water of millions of people. Where is the outcry? Unfortunately, Northland also is powered by Progress Energy who by the way generates power from oil. "Gas" powered barges float down the Saint John's River from Jacksonville to Sanford. The journey takes a good bit of time. As they travel South, these oil laden barges barely scrape the bottom of the river sometimes trapping manatee's (an almost extinct water mammal) at the bottom of the barge. In excruciating agony the manatee is trapped unable to surface dying from suffocation. These mammals endure this death so that I might be able to worship comfortably at Northland in air-conditioning. Yet, I haven't heard the outcry from Randall on this very important issue. Neither has the pavement been removed or at the very least an alternative found.

One point, I am all for environmental stewardship. I am appalled but not at pavement or incandescent light bulbs. I am appalled that "politicians" have continually allowed the "development" of wetlands into residential communities. I am appalled that city waste was being dumped into our lakes or even the environmental destruction that took place in Lake Apopka effectively destroying one of Central Florida's natural resources. I even find it even more overwhelming and appalling that hundreds of people are now facing bankruptcy because they purchased some of these homes on wetlands for "investment" purposes. Yes, we need to talk about Creation stewardship but we don't need to focus on how I light my house. But instead focus on much larger issues. Oh yes, I will continue to recycle my plastics. Each week my recycle bin yields far more than my actual garbage.

[Paul Lai]

Last week, the worship service focused on accepting - even embracing - differences among our fellow church members. I must confess that, when I read posts like the above, I find it a tall task, a challenge I don't believe I'm up to even on a good day.

The earth is warming up, population is exploding, and we're going to live our lives as if water is not a dwindling valuable resource, that garbage dumps are bottomless pits with no consequences, or that food will continue to be in abundant supply?

In most of the world outside of North America, food never was abundant. Do we think we have the fat of the earth out of our own goodness or merit, or that God has entrusted all this to us, without expecting a deep sense of responsibility for the rest of His creation? WAKE UP, BROTHERS AND SISTERS! It's not business as usual. We have to learn to be much better stewards than we have been. If we are unfaithful with little, will He entrust us with much? Please realize that our lives as stewards of planet earth and all its resources, is but training for Heaven. How seriously do we intend to take the job that God has given you and me?

If you could imagine going on a journey - doesn't even have to be a missionary trip. You're now in a land where people never have enough to eat. Their "job" may be just rummaging in the garbage dump to find anything valuable or edible. The water they have to use for drinking and cooking is an opaque and peculiar color. It may be a low-lying land which will surely be under water a decade or two from now as the polar ice cap continues to melt. I'm thinking most of us who have a pulse and a heart will come back touched, our outlook and priority, changed forever. Now you KNOW that these lands and people of whom I speak are out there, whether you actually see, hear, feel, or smell them. You don't need to actually go on the trip. Just listen with your heart and you will surely hear their silent, Macedonian cries.

If we can't help, who can? And if we don't, who will?

[Janice Matchett]

This week Joel's sermon focused on the fact that God's Word is the revelation of Jesus Christ who, if we have an ear to hear, teaches us that we must _stop trying to gain control over the behavior of other adults_ if we ever hope to have happy relationships.

The previous poster has a commmendable compassionate heart for the on-going suffering of so many hapless souls all over the world and feels an overwhelming urgency to help.

Unfortunately, he has admitted that it is impossible for him to "accept and embrace - even on a good day", those whose thinking and behavior he can't control and conform to his personal conscience on various matters.

No _healthy_ relationship (marriage or otherwise) will survive the command and control efforts of those who must win the toss in all disagreements and who refuse to accept the fact that only God is able to change anyone.

C.S. Lewis:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under live robber barons than under omnipotent moral busibodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good, will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

After listening to Joel's sermon today, I conclude that he agrees with the Christians, Pope John Paul II, and now Pope Benedict XVI, who teach that proper stewardship of our environment is one of the _individual _Christian's responsibilities toward God - - - BUT only in this order:

"..an authentic...theology: [is] one that puts:

[1] God and the life of the spirit first,
[2] DIRECT charitable care of others second,
[3] and only then draws consequences for a just social order."

"[Some are involved in] a disastrous confusion between the poor of the Scripture and the proletariat of Marx." ~ Pope Benedict XVI http://ncrcafe.org/node/1091

[Paul Lai]

Sister Janice,

It was painful reading your first post, and the second one must have been the "daily double" in pain quotient.

English was not my first language, but I've striven to use it (or any language, for that manner) deliberately and carefully. It is unconscionable for you to twist my words just to make the same tired, uninformed points you made before. I never "admitted" it was "impossible" for me to embrace and accept people like you. I said that it was "a tall task, a challenge I don't believe I'm up to even on a good day". I'm candid about my weakness, but it doesn't mean that I've stopped trying. But you're S-U-R-E not helping (Mt: 18:6)!!!

I chuckled upon reading your 3 points and their order, not just because they are so easy to tear appart, but also because it's prescribed in such a "tyrannical", self-invented "BUT-only-in-this-order" manner. Plain and simple, I'm unaware of any such list, let alone the order. Please point me to the part(s) in the Bible where it lists your "three". The "lists" I can think of are the 10 commandments, Micah 6:8, and Mk 12:30-31; and guess what: no mention of "personal freedom" or "me-first" thinking in any of those - quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. As for the order you prescribed it, let me ask this simple question: if someone is dying of thirst, bleeding to death, or suffering a heart attack, FIRST you share God and the life of the spirit, do you?

Look: if you and others like you PERSIST in "global warming is a liberal conspiracy" thinking, despite all evidence to the contrary, there's nothing other than prayer that I can offer. You waste time arguing about "tyrannies" as the earth heats up - just like Nero fiddled while Rome burned. You "commended" me for my compassion - how about you: have YOU any compassion. Do you care about these people, and creatures like the polar bear - whom/which God, too, created? (Read Jonah - it'll do you good)

NOW do you see what a challenge it is even on a good day, sister?