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The Environment

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (The Bible, Genesis chapter 1 verse 1).

Christians believe that the natural world was made and is kept going by God.

The balance of nature, and the size of the universe show us something of God's perfection and power.

Today popular theories such as the Big Bang prevail. What came before that? Matter, we are told. But what came before matter? At some point we run out of answers and realise that nothing comes out of nothing but that there has to be a creative power and initiator behind creation.

Christians believe The Bible explains many things about the natural world:

That it was created by God.

That it's perfection and greatness show us something of what God is like.

That we are to care for our planet, and everything living on it

That much suffering and pollution is caused by our own selfishness and greed - by disobedience to the way God wants us to live.

The Bible records an account that God put Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, in a perfect garden, called Eden. They were at peace until they disobeyed God and ate fruit from a tree God had told them not to touch. From that moment, selfishness, sickness and death entered the world, and God's perfect creation was spoiled. Human beings are free to choose, this is God's wonderful gift to us, a gift that also has consequences.

Adam & Eve by Michaelangelo

Since earliest times people have looked at the vast night sky and,

with a sense of awe and wonder, thought about God.

Christian churches are often decorated with flowers to remind us of God's creation, and many Christian songs celebrate God as creator.

In the autumn, many churches hold Harvest Thanksgiving services, to say thank-you to God for the harvest. As we have moved away from an agricultural to a technological society we tend to forget the need for a good harvest. A traditional harvest song says:

"We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land

But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand."

Many years ago, scientists began looking at how the world worked. They believed that because the world had been made by God, it should work in a logical way, and it should be possible to understand it. They believed that the scientific laws were there to be discovered, and set out to find them.

In March 2000, James Tour, American nanoscientist, said, "I stand in awe of God because of what he has done through his creation. If you really study science, it will bring you closer to God."

"By wisdom the Lord founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens." (The Bible, Proverbs chapter 3 verse 19).

Follow this link to find out more about the chaos we are doing to the environment and a biblical perspective, but be warned, discretion is advised as you may find some images distressing.