People Alienated from Nature – Sally Shaw
“..made in our image”
Hebrew for ‘image’, ‘selem’ refers to a representation in physical form, not a representation of physical appearance;
This gives the image-bearer the capacity to reflect the attributes of the one it represents.
We are therefore asked by God to act on His behalf as His vice regents/representatives.
Our Creator God seeks a relationship/fellowship with living humans made in his image.
God designed humans & non-human creation to reflect himself
The mirror needs to be at the right angle for it to reflect its object. To be ‘as’ the image of God therefore requires us to be in ‘a right relationship with God’ our Creator.
True humanness is found in fellowship with God.
As God’s representatives we are asked to:
- rule (Hebrew: rada) on His behalf NOT dominate (rule/dominion) over God’s earth (v1:26)
- act with ‘kingly & priestly’ responsibility
- ‘take care’ (Hebrew: shamar) of His creation
- be accountable to Him
We’re made distinct from other creatures – yet part of creation – all made from adamah – soil (Adam)
Progress…?
Our relentless pursuit of progress, with its loss of the natural world causes the loss of something within ourselves as well.
What can we do about this loss?
One of the strongest and most basic needs of the whole human race is to belong, and to belong in the place or on the land where we can connect, be rooted and grow.
Much progress is good and life-enhancing and that we should affirm and value that. However, we also need to pay more attention to, and protect, the beauty in the world. By doing this we will be led closer to God, who is its source.
It was the presence of God, manifested in flaming bush that made the ground holy. But what if God, being everywhere makes every place holy? What if every bush dances with the flames of God’s presence, but our eyes are just not calibrated to see it?
We need to remember:
The word “adam” comes from the Hebrew word meaning “red clay”? Adam – Mud Man. Earthling.
Jesus caked a blind man’s eyes with mud and then prayed for that man to receive sight?
We need to look down. So we can realise we’re also standing. On holy ground.
Please look at Transition Adelaide Hills website to learn about the work of ‘Transition’ in the Adelaide Hills: http://transitionadelaidehills.org/index.php/about-us/
Five important reasons why we need to care for God’s creation. Care though must include ‘living simply so others may simply live (Gandhi).
More information on Wendell Berry http://www.neh.gov/about/awards/jefferson-lecture/wendell-e-berry-biography
I’m also involved in the International Christian Conversation organisation A Rocha – Portuguese for the Rock – it’s a Christian environmental charity, founded in 1983 and based on the biblical call to steward and protect God’s earth.
See http://www.arocha.org/en/ to learn more about A Rocha International’s work
A Rocha International is hoping to start it’s first Australian project at Tahlee Ministries (NSW) later this year.
A possible A Rocha project could happen in partnership with the Raukkan Indigenous Community.
Quote from Thomas Schirrmacher.
To see more of his writings see http://www.thomasschirrmacher.net/tag/environmental-protection/
LINKS
A Rocha International: http://www.arocha.org/int-en/index.html
Hope for Creation: https://www.facebook.com/hopeforcreationau?fref=nf
TEAR Australia: http://www.tear.org.au/
Australian Christian Environment group: https://www.facebook.com/hopeforcreationau?fref=nf
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change: www.arrcc.org.au
Uniting Earth Web: www.unitingearthweb.org.au
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Recommended reading on caring for God’s creation:
Dave Bookless, Planet Wise: Dare to Care for God’s World. Publisher IVP
Chris Naylor, Postcards from the Middle East: How our family fell in love with the Arab world. Publisher Lion Hudson
Study reading:
Martin & Margot Hodson, A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (includes group study material). Publisher The Bible Reading Fellowship.
Richard Middleton, A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology. Publisher Baker Academic
Jonathan Moo & Robert White, Hope in an Age of Despair: The gospel and the future of life on earth. Publisher IVP
Richard Bauckham, Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation. Publisher DLT
Michael Northcott, A Moral Climate: The ethics of global warming. Publisher DLT