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But Christians in general have been perceived as less interested
in environmentalism than many secular groups, he acknowledges.
"Even worse, some Christians take a "throw-away"
attitude to the environment," says Baldwin, "reasoning
that, according to Scripture, the earth will eventually be destroyed."
Baldwin has explored the relationship between Adventism and environmentalism
in a paper he presented at a meeting between representatives of
the Adventist Church and the World Alliance ofReformed Churches
in Jongny sur Vevey, Switzerland, April 1 to 7.
Entitled "Keepers
of the Garden: Christians and the Environment--An Adventist Perspective,"
the paper takes a closer look at the Biblical bases for ecological
responsibility and the role Adventists should play in caring for
the environment.
"Only when our decisions and actions regarding the environment
favor a sustainable, healthy habitat for all humanity, can we
truly be called 'faithful keepers of the garden,'" says Baldwin.
Christianity has something to offer that secular environmental
organizations lack, he adds. "It offers an antidote to the
self-interest and greed that is at the root of much environmental
abuse or neglect. The real answer is a spiritual one."
In his paper, Baldwin draws out Biblical imagery that he says"encourages
our environmental sensibilities." Among the many Biblical
passages he explores is the creation account contained in Genesis,
where humans are given the responsibility of caring for their
environment. Baldwin also notes the powerful environmental imagery
of Revelation, the final book of the Bible, including the command
to "worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the
fountains of water."
Often Christians have treated the earth as something that is
disposable, Baldwin says. "We must distance ourselves from
that understanding."
"In Revelation 7, verse 3, we are told 'Do not harm the
earth or the sea or the trees.' In other words, 'Be careful with
this world I have made.' While the world will someday be destroyed,
it must be treated as precious in the meantime."
The Adventist Church, which has proclaimed the Biblical teaching
of the Sabbath for more than 150 years, has a unique perspective
to offer, says Baldwin.
"The Sabbath day is a weekly reminder of the amazing creative
ability of God," he explains. "It is celebrated as a
memorial of God's power to renew the environment, based on His
power to create and sustain earth."
In 1996, the Adventist Church released an official church statement
affirming the importance of environmental care, calling for a
"reformation of lifestyle" based on "respect for
nature, restraint in the use of the world's resources, reevaluation
of one's needs, and reaffirmation of the dignity of created life."
Local Adventist church groups and individual church members around
the world have also been involved in community initiatives to
care for the environment. Baldwin applauds the work of Dennis
Woodland, a biology professor at Andrews University, who has led
an effort to raise environmental awareness both on campus and
within the local Adventist community in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
"But these are just the small foothills," says Baldwin.
"I think it's time to move vigorously ahead on this."
Environmental care is both an individual and corporate responsibility,
says Baldwin, and acknowledging that responsibility is an essential
part in stepping up an Adventist response to environmental challenges.
Link to the paper: John
Baldwin, "Keepers of the Garden: Christians and the Environment--An
Adventist Perspective"
-- Source: Adventist
News Network
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