Pentecostals, Ecology, and Resurrection
Chris Tilling has alerted his readers to a new blog called Pentecostal Discussions. Since I have charismatic roots (Assembly of God) I'm glad to see a site dedicated to charismatic/pentecostal discussions. Thanks to Chris for pointing them out. They have a very good post that highlights the lack of ecological concern in many strands of pentecostal and/or fundamentalist movements. As the post points out this is partly due to their "other worldly orientation" and their obsession with "end time" catastrophes.
One of the great things about the doctrine of resurrection is that it points to the Creator's own ecological concerns. Resurrection is a signifier that God cares about his creation. The goal of eschatological consummation is not a discarding of the physical world, but its redemption. The Most High is not going to trash his creation. The "good" he declared when he completed his creation is still valid today even with all its failings. It is telling that Paul when he asserts the future redemption of the believer's body places the discussion in the overall context of the redemption of creation:
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Rom. 8:18-23
Let us not forget that the Almighty still values his creation and He will redeem it just as he will redeem our bodies. Thanks again to Chris for pointing out this excellent new site.
One of the great things about the doctrine of resurrection is that it points to the Creator's own ecological concerns. Resurrection is a signifier that God cares about his creation. The goal of eschatological consummation is not a discarding of the physical world, but its redemption. The Most High is not going to trash his creation. The "good" he declared when he completed his creation is still valid today even with all its failings. It is telling that Paul when he asserts the future redemption of the believer's body places the discussion in the overall context of the redemption of creation:
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Rom. 8:18-23
Let us not forget that the Almighty still values his creation and He will redeem it just as he will redeem our bodies. Thanks again to Chris for pointing out this excellent new site.
