FOCUS: While human beings have been gifted with a beautiful and complex world in which to live, its systems and resources are being stressed by our behaviors, lifestyles, and arrogance. Care for the environment is not only deeply biblical and practical, but increasingly critical – for both the present spiritual life and for our collective future.
The Heavens are Telling
In no small part due to 19th century Native American leader Chief Seattle, traditional Native American spirituality is often associated with honoring the sacredness of all creation. Seattle was heard to say, “Our religion is written in the hearts of our people. Every part of this country is sacred…every hillside, every
valley, every plain and grove….” For Chief Seattle, the divine reverberates from every corner of creation, a perspective not absent from the heritage of Judeo-Christians:
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;When reading Genesis 1, it is helpful to note that the Hebrew word translated as "created" is not in static past tense. It can also be interpreted as "In the beginning, when God began to create the heavens and the earth...,” suggesting that God initiated a creative process that continues even to this moment. The God of Genesis is a creating God. As we are made in God’s image, we are made not only to bring order out of chaos but also to be creators. We are not shameful “fallen” creatures, redeemed only by some cosmic and violent act beyond our control. We are emerging beings, blessed to be a blessing, and bearing special
and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
– Psalm 19
responsibility toward the creation in which we live and move and have our being.
To receive a complete copy of the text used for the session, please contact Pastor Marj at daytonfirstcong@gmail.com. It will be sent as an email attachment for your perusal as opposed to printing multiple pages, a stewardship practice. Because of copyright law, we are not able to make the materials available here. Another option would be to purchase a copy of Felten and Procter-Murphy's newly-released book, Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity from your local bookseller.
Questions to be considered in light of the video and readings:
What important clarification does Rossing make about Apocalyptic End Times theology?
What implication does “peak oil” have on our Imperial way of life?
How does being compassionate as God is compassionate relate to creation?
According to Aquinas, what is the first and foremost definition of salvation? Explain.
Reflect on the implications of so much environmental destruction occurring while Christian nations have been at the apex of control.
How have “the environmentalist critics of the church” spoken truly about us?
What do the church, the university, and governments need to repent of?
Fox claims that the church is called, with the prophetic Jesus, to ecojustice. Explain.
Describe how psalms like Psalm 19 & Psalm 136 epitomize a nonanthropocentric song of praise to the Creator.
Reflect on some of the elements of the earth-centered vision in the final scenes of Revelation (Chapters 21 and 22).
In what ways does Revelation appear to be a conflict between two “spiritual economies,” the Whore of Babylon and the New Jerusalem?
Rossing believes one of the most important verses for us today involves the leaves from the tree of life. Why?
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