Comments on: What Would Jesus Recycle

By: dan

dan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:38:47 +0000

interesting….

By: Russ

Russ — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:31:13 +0000

Here’s a good “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” anecdote for you. When I was in Kenya, we took a take-out box to some church leaders for lunch one day. When they quickly devoured the contents, they threw the box onto the ground. One of the children picked it up, immediately brandished a cutting implement, and made a deck of cards out of it. Within minutes the whole village was playing a game invented on the spot. My observations of 3rd world living is that waste occurs, but it is rare, because people who have nothing can quickly find a use for everything. People who have everything find many things that they have no use for.

By: Gene Schlesinger

Gene Schlesinger — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:59:38 +0000

I think you’re probably on to something.

We read that from those to whom much is given, much will be required. It’s back to the stewardship issue again.

And, of course, when people are barely subsisting, there’s not nearly so much to conserve. I would wager that they waste far less than we Westerners do.

It’s also important to note that it is a fact that God wants us to be stewards of his creation whether or not people are recycling (in the Third World, or the West). When I recycle, I don’t make it any more true that we have a moral responsibility to care for God’s creation. And when people cruise around town in their Hummers, it doesn’t make it any less true.

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:37:40 +0000

Is abundance related to recycling issues?
I have noticed in the 3rd World Country areas that I have been in that people seem to be more interested in eating that day (one bowl of rice and beans or a bowl of mealy pop)than making sure a recycling bin is used.

By: dan

dan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:05:06 +0000

the good news of clean coal….I’d call it green news. ba dun tish.

By: Gene Schlesinger

Gene Schlesinger — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:57:57 +0000

Cool…thanks for clearing that up. I think you are right about that.

I just wanted to be sure that no one thought we were preaching the “good news of clean coal” instead of Jesus…

By: eblack

eblack — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:53:15 +0000

No I would totally agree with you guys…. I think you would probably agree with me…. I would say that the point of being green should be obedience to God, and awe for His creation rather than because a carmaker makes it hip to drive a hybrid.

I believe we are on the substance side of the “green” message. The green message of caring for the environment for the sake of caring for the environment… will pass… gas prices are down… we’ll see more hippies driving? The true message for us is stewardship. Simply put: God calls us to take care of His stuff. wouldn’t you agree?

I think we just said the same thing… two different ways..?

By: Gene Schlesinger

Gene Schlesinger — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:29:19 +0000

I certainly agree that God is more important than recycling. But I think its unhelpful to set things up in terms of an either/or scenario as if we had to choose God over recycling or recycling over God.

We should confront the sin of worshiping-the- environment/idolizing-conservation. But we don’t want to over-react with false dichotomies.

And, of course, just to clear up any confusion, we are not taking a “Thou Shalt Recycle” position. The Bible doesn’t command us to do any one particular activity of conservation. But it does tell us to be good stewards. Personally, I think that recycling is an easy way to do that. But I’m not going to go legalistic here, since it is, strictly speaking, extra-biblical.

By: explode, ideas, explode » environmentalists are not green?

explode, ideas, explode » environmentalists are not green? — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:54:22 +0000

[...] I think too many people are environmentalists because it is the cool thing to do. Too many people make the environment their end. The environment, while important, is not a Savior. People make it their end and then some go ballistic when someone doesn’t recycle. Give me a break. Pick your stinkin’ battles. God is more important than recycling. [...]

By: eblack

eblack — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:44:19 +0000

I like this post, Gene and Stephen, because it talks about being good stewards. It does not mean being a hippy for hippies’ sakes. I think too many people are environmentalists because it is the best thing they can think of to show/imitate the rescue that Christ has shown us. Not that they would state it that way.

People feel better when they recycle. “I am doing something” “I am making a difference” … are we making a difference? debatable.

What is clear is that God called us to take care of what he has given us? When Christians say Jesus is coming back, who cares about the environment…. I want to let them smell my breath when I yell “are you seriously that stupid?” It’s like saying “I smoke crack because one day I will die.” Sweet, so I can spend every moment of my life more and more braindead…. until I die. that is just a dumb idea.

God wants us to care for His creation. When we have respect for what He created, we make Him more famous…. we respect Him more… we are more in Awe.

Selah.