Ecocatastrophe: Resolution

I'd like to say it's comical, but it's not.  Since starting this series (here-1, here-2, and here-3) which looks at the environment from a biblical perspective, the news outlets have coughed up insanity after insanity about the imminent demise of our planet due to human interference or misuse. 

A few weeks ago, wantonly driving golf balls into Loch Ness signalled our doom (here).  Yesterday, the solution to the global warming "problem" came in the guise of a condom (here).  You can't make this stuff up.  Other scientists can't figure out why it's so cold this year; it's like global warming has taken a time out (here).

With the scientific community evenly divided on what's happening to the earth (might I suggest, nothing), I prefer an objective look.  Forgive the analogy, but we're like rats in a maze trying furiously to figure out the maze from a very limited perspective.  The Professor stands outside ready and willing to give an answer if only the rats would listen.  So I defer to the Professor.

The analogy falls far, far short because God is not a professor merely hovering over a maze and watching the rats bash their little coconuts into the wall.  God created man in his image and as such, man has inherent, God-given value and worth.  God loves mankind.  He cares deeply for eachone.  On top of that, God gave man a task; he told man to fill the earth, subdue the earth, and have dominion of the earth--all the while, the earth would remain God's possession for which he would retain ultimate authority and responsibility.

Where does that leave us?  A couple of final thoughts:

1. The world around us should knock our socks off! The creation bears God's fingerprints all over it.  Wherever we turn, we see the wonder and majesty of God's creative powers.  We see the beauty of design from the microcosm of the cell to the celestial dance of the planets and stars.
2. The world without and the life within should open our eyes to the brokenness of man and of our world.  Death, destruction, devastation, disaster.  Everytime it happens, whether it's a fanatical demon blowing away his friends and coworkers or whether it's an earthquake burying thousands and leaving tens of thousands without a home, we come face to face with the rebellion of mankind before a righteous God and the curse underwhich the creation groans until the day of Christ's restoration.
3. We do our job in loving obedience.  Fill the earth.  Subdue the earth.  Have dominion over the creation.  What a delight!  Work is not meant to be a curse; it is our God-given task.  Before the Fall of man, God put Adam into Eden's garden to tend it and care for it.  We don't abuse it without thought for God emphasizes that "a righteous man considers the life of his animal" (Proverbs 12:10).  That doesn't mean he worships it.  That doesn't even mean that he spares it.  He is to be steward over the animal as he is to be steward over the earth (sorry PETA).
4. As we labor, we do not worry.  A farmer cannot bring the rain nor can he bring about the growth of his crop.  He can only do what he can do; God has promised to take care of the rest.  So we trust our lives to the God who cares for us and who loves us, and we trust him to keep the earth running through the seasons until the day of his return (Genesis 8:22).

The news declares today that global warming has pushed poorer women into prostitution and life-threatening jobs (here).  At the same time, international leaders are pushing hard for the ratification of Kyoto II in Copenhagen next month (here) while Steven Groves is warning about what such a climate treaty will impose upon our nation (here).  What's a guy to do?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6