Post on 22-May-2015
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The Greater Commission?Creation & Christian Mission
1. The Context
2. Biblical Resources
3. Implications
The Environment & Mission
“What’s the point?”“It’s too late …”“Climate Change will destroy us”“Our politicians are too corrupt… our parents are too lazy …the Church is simply irrelevant”
National Tour of 20secondary schoolsFeb.-March 2008
Just in case you’re still unsure …
•300,000 people a year dying by 2030.•200 million environmental refugees by 2050.
• Arctic Ocean ice-free in summer, by 2015-25.•Up to a million species extinct by 2050.
•“abrupt & irreversible” Climate Change …"If there's no action before 2012, that's too late. What we do in the
next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment.“ Rajendra Pachauri (IPCC)
Projected Impacts of Climate Change
the effects on the planet
Climate Change
the tip of the iceberg?
DeforestationS. Bahia (Brazil)
1945
DeforestationS. Bahia (Brazil)
1990
Percentage of species threatened
with extinction
If everyone lived like us, we’d need 3+ planets
world’s richest 20% consume 16x poorest 20%
The Biggest Issue ..Over-consumption (greed)
Planet Earth …are we bothered?
Christianity – Part of the Problem?
• Puts humans on a pedestal?
• Proclaims spiritual vs. material?
• Teaches cosmic destruction? • Has a poor track record
Other Christians / Church
Jesus and Me (bible & prayer)
Heaven
•Environment•Business•Politics•Arts & Culture•Other Faiths
The Dualist Gospel
“This dichotomisation blocks us from
seeing who Jesus really is.
It is deeply embedded in the western church &
western education.”
Bishop Zac Niringiye
Jesus is Lordin Nairobi!
-70%+ Christian-Many churches
-Poverty (Kibera)-Crime-Corruption -Eco-disaster
1. Creation2. Fall 3. Israel 4. Jesus5. The present and future age
The Bible as a 5 Act Drama
1. Creation
The earth is God’s, not ours!Psalm 24.1; 50; Leviticus 25:23
God cares for creationPsalm 104; Genesis 7-9; Job 38-
42Humanity is part of creation, related to everything else
Genesis 2.7; Psalm 8Humanity is called apart - to image
God in caring for creationGenesis 1.26-28; 2.15; Psalm 8
The land ‘suffers’ (Jer. 12.4), ‘mourns’ (Hosea 4.1-3), ‘vomits’ (Lev. 18.25-28) & ‘groans’ (Romans 8.19-22)
“The time has come for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 11.18
The breakdown of relationships, between God, humanity and creation“Cursed is the ground because of you” Genesis 3.17
The environmental results of sin
God’s judgement on ecological sin
2. A Fallen World
The breakdown of relationships, between God, humanity & creation
2. Fall
God
planetpeople
XX
XX
XX
Modelling God’s purposes in the land of promise
Leviticus 25; Deut. 22.6; 1 Kings 21
Belonging where God plants usJeremiah 29.4-7
Worshipping God in caring for the landFestivals, Sabbath, Jubilee
Land as a spiritual barometer2 Chronicles 7.14
3. Israel
“all things” reconciled to God through the cross” Colossians 1.19-20
“all things in heaven and earth under one head, even Christ” Eph. 1.9-10
Birth
“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters” Luke 8.22-25
Death
Future glory
4. Jesus – Saviour of the World
“Peace on earth” Luke 2.14Life
ResurrectionThe first-fruits of a new creation
• Following the biblical map
God’s covenant & promises• On earth as in heaven
Signs of the Kingdom – humanity’s re-calling (Romans 8)
• Destroyed or purified?
Romans 8.19-22; 2 Peter 3• New or renewed?
Isaiah 65:17-25: Hosea 2.19
5. The Present & Future Age
“God will redeem the whole universe; Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of that new life, the fresh grass growing through the concrete of corruption and decay in the old world. That
final redemption will be the moment when heaven and earth are joined together at last, in a burst of God’s creative energy for which
Easter is the prototype and source.”Bishop Tom Wright, “Surprised by Hope” p.134
Christianity – Part of the Problem?
• Puts humans on a pedestal? Genesis 1.28 ff – we image God in creation care
• Proclaims spiritual vs. material? William Temple – “the most material religion”
• Teaches cosmic destruction? No! God’s home is with mankind
• Has a poor track record Yes! Let’s put this right!
The Top Five
5. Local energy generation4. Beyond Kyoto …3. Solar power2. Faith groups getting active1. Energy efficiency
Dare to rethink …Discipleship
WorshipLifestyleMission
… as if Creation Matters
Lifestyle …as if creation matters
www.livinglightly24-1.org.uk
• based on Psalm 24.1• start where you’re at• take one step at a time• flexible & web-based
Surprising fruit …
Mission …as if creation matters
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News
to all creation” Mark 16.15
The Five Marks of Mission
•To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
•To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
•To respond to human need by loving service
•To seek to transform unjust structures of society
•To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the earth
Mission as if creation matters …
Caring for God’s World Together
For 25 years, A Rocha has studied and cared for God's world. A Rocha is now working in 18 diverse countries around the world
The growing A Rocha family!
•Brazil•Bulgaria•Canada•Czech Republic•Finland•France•Ghana•India•Kenya•Lebanon•Netherlands•Peru•Portugal•South Africa•UK•USA … New Zealand, Switzerland, Uganda …
Kenya
Arabuko Sokoke ForestMida Creek
Watamu Marine Reserve
Sokoke Scops Owl
Golden-rumpedElephant Shrew
LebanonAmmiq MarshBekaa Valley
A RochaIndia,
based in Bangalore
India
A Rocha UK workingwith a local Council
to transform a derelict site into a
Country Park&
Nature Reserve
Minet Country Park
A Rocha Living Waterways
Minet before …
A Rocha Living Waterways
Minet during …
A Rocha Living Waterways
Minet after …
A Rocha Living Waterways
A Rocha UK
Lewknor
Steyning
Dronfield
Lee Abbey
Southall & Hayes