As a Christian, should I "Go Green"?
My verdict is...yes
and no! :)
Lately it seems that everyone has turned into an environmental activist. Everywhere you turn there are products labeled as "Green", "Natural", or "Organic". Much of this, unfortunately, stems from the idea of global warming and/or climate change, and not so much a genuine concern for the care of the planet. Whether or not global warming is an actual threat to the world, the fact is that God is not the
primary focus of this movement.
This movement is a result of human fears of having something to do with the destruction of the world. The primary focus is ourselves and our future grandchildren, great-grandchildren...and so on. It is true that humans have had a bad effect on the environment and the only responsible way to react to this is to stop what we've been doing and take steps to erase the harmful effects of what has been done by man. This is a marvelous act of
stewardship, it is taking care of the planet, which is what God intended for us to do.
My problem with "going green" is that most people do this to
save the planet and all if its inhabitants from extinction. It is a fear that
humans are going to destroy the earth and will no longer be able to survive. The truth is, God is in complete control of this planet and it's destruction will not come as a result of human activity alone. The earth is "warming" in some areas because it is God's will for it to happen, and it is "cooling" in some areas because it is God's will.
Heating and cooling are natural occurrences that have happened before and will happen again as long as the earth exists. This is how God designed our planet. Our mistreatment of the environment may be one way he brings it to destruction, but in the end it is
God who will destroy the earth, the sun, the moon, and everything else in this universe. I believe our culture puts too much emphasis on the goodness of this earth, it is believed to be the sole sustainer of our lives and our love of the earth can quickly turn into idolatry if we are not careful to realize that
God is the true sustainer. As Christians we are to worship the Creator, not the creation. (Suggested reading: Deuternonomy 4:15-20)