In Scripture there is a constant call to seek Justice
We, Christians, cannot just pray for justice and leave the rest to God.
We have to "walk our talk" and put our prayers into action.
http://diane-bystrom-poll-questions.blogspot.ca/2014/05/justice.html
The first command, sometimes called the cultural mandate, is found in :
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The first part of the command is being fulfilled.
The subduing of the earth involves rulership. We have been placed in charge of the earth as stewards.
Our dominion should not be harsh; this verse is not a proof text to condone littering! To subdue means to cherish and bring out the full potential of the creation, not trash it.
The earth does not belong to us; it is the Lord's, including everything in it
Ps. 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein.
We are to care for and manage what has been given to us, and we are responsible for the results.
A second biblical command appears in
Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
This was Adam's job description, and it is also a general model for us today.
Hebrews 2:8
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
Hebrews 2:8 states that God has put all things under our feet; we are still in charge. To work and care for the garden, or “dress and keep” it, meaning to make it orderly, productive, and beautiful. The clear conclusion is that we should indeed be concerned about the deterioration of the environment.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
There is no profit in gaining the whole world and losing one's own soul.
Presenting the gospel must have priority. If we love the Lord, however, we will not turn our backs on his artwork and gifts in the creation. The creation gives powerful testimony to God's glory; caring for his works is our responsibility. The environment is important because people are important. Their health and well-being depend on it.
"Why should we be concerned with a temporary, dying world?" In spite of sin, the creation remains a rich testimony to God's goodness. Stewardship of this silent witness is an act of worship. Our bodies are also temporary, but we care for them. Our minds will someday be made perfect, yet we spend our lives studying and exercising them. The same arguments apply to caring for the present, temporary earth.
Some people may say that, "Environmentalism is just a form of the social gospel, or even worse, it is New Age pantheism."
True environmental care is respect for God's handiwork, not a return to idolatry. Stewardship is the recognition of humanity's high created position, not a pantheistic ruling out of our responsibility before God.
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"I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be 'protectors' of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment."
~ Pope Francis, Inauguration, 3/19/13
The Catholic Church brings a distinct perspective to the discussion of environmental questions, by lifting up the moral dimensions of these issues and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. This unique contribution is rooted in Catholic teaching calling us to care for creation and for "the least of these."
Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Of particular concern to the Church is how environmental problems and our response to these challenges will affect poor and vulnerable people at home and around the world.
This draws attention to the ethical dimensions of the ecological crisis, exploring the link between ecology and poverty and the implications of environmental degradation for human life and dignity.
Is there a conflict between making a profit and faith?
Is it moral to charge interest rates or is lending shameful?
Can you be wealthy and spiritual at the same time, or do you have to lead a life of austerity to be spiritual?
While there is something to be said in favour of living simpler lives, there is no conflict between faith and turning a profit. It is fine to make a living, we are meant to enjoy abundant lives. The conflict comes when we imagine ethics don't matter in business, and also when we make the mistake of equating wealth with happiness.
We, Christians, cannot just pray for justice and leave the rest to God.
We have to "walk our talk" and put our prayers into action.
http://diane-bystrom-poll-questions.blogspot.ca/2014/05/justice.html
The first command, sometimes called the cultural mandate, is found in :
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The first part of the command is being fulfilled.
The subduing of the earth involves rulership. We have been placed in charge of the earth as stewards.
Our dominion should not be harsh; this verse is not a proof text to condone littering! To subdue means to cherish and bring out the full potential of the creation, not trash it.
The earth does not belong to us; it is the Lord's, including everything in it
Ps. 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein.
A second biblical command appears in
Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
This was Adam's job description, and it is also a general model for us today.
Hebrews 2:8
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
Hebrews 2:8 states that God has put all things under our feet; we are still in charge. To work and care for the garden, or “dress and keep” it, meaning to make it orderly, productive, and beautiful. The clear conclusion is that we should indeed be concerned about the deterioration of the environment.
Preachers, politicians and CEOs need to be reminded of
Mark 8:36
Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
Presenting the gospel must have priority. If we love the Lord, however, we will not turn our backs on his artwork and gifts in the creation. The creation gives powerful testimony to God's glory; caring for his works is our responsibility. The environment is important because people are important. Their health and well-being depend on it.
"Why should we be concerned with a temporary, dying world?" In spite of sin, the creation remains a rich testimony to God's goodness. Stewardship of this silent witness is an act of worship. Our bodies are also temporary, but we care for them. Our minds will someday be made perfect, yet we spend our lives studying and exercising them. The same arguments apply to caring for the present, temporary earth.
Some people may say that, "Environmentalism is just a form of the social gospel, or even worse, it is New Age pantheism."
True environmental care is respect for God's handiwork, not a return to idolatry. Stewardship is the recognition of humanity's high created position, not a pantheistic ruling out of our responsibility before God.
"I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be 'protectors' of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment."
~ Pope Francis, Inauguration, 3/19/13
The Catholic Church brings a distinct perspective to the discussion of environmental questions, by lifting up the moral dimensions of these issues and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. This unique contribution is rooted in Catholic teaching calling us to care for creation and for "the least of these."
Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Of particular concern to the Church is how environmental problems and our response to these challenges will affect poor and vulnerable people at home and around the world.
This draws attention to the ethical dimensions of the ecological crisis, exploring the link between ecology and poverty and the implications of environmental degradation for human life and dignity.
Is there a conflict between making a profit and faith?
Is it moral to charge interest rates or is lending shameful?
Can you be wealthy and spiritual at the same time, or do you have to lead a life of austerity to be spiritual?
While there is something to be said in favour of living simpler lives, there is no conflict between faith and turning a profit. It is fine to make a living, we are meant to enjoy abundant lives. The conflict comes when we imagine ethics don't matter in business, and also when we make the mistake of equating wealth with happiness.
On ethics: What really matters is that we behave justly to one another: namely, we follow the Golden Rule which says that we should treat others as we would have others treat us. The abuses of capitalism are a violation of his principle.
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