Many of us are concerned - to say the least - about the state and future of our environment. And well we should because the “Earth is the Lord’s and its fullness thereof, it is the right thing to do and fuller understandings of Judeo/Christian and other theologies are achieved when faith and religious texts are viewed from their environmental origins.
Some in our congregation have taken individual steps to reduce their carbon footprints (reduce, repurpose, reuse and recycle), donate to environmental stewardship and even take action. But what can we do as a Christian congregation? How and to where does God call us?
This is the first of articles this summer to help us as a congregation discern these matters.(1)
Lutherans care for creation for many reasons, including:
1. Theology: We affirm God as Creator of all. We have an incarnation theology that cherishes the continuing presence of God in, with, and under all reality. We see redemption as the restoration of creation, as “new creation.” We see the future straining toward the fulfillment of creation.
2. Cross and Resurrection: The Gospel leads us to see God in solidarity with the human situation in all its pain and agony, especially the most vulnerable—humans and non-humans. A theology of the cross gives us solidarity with “creation groaning in travail” and stresses that God redeems all Creation. Our affirmation of resurrection offers hope for new life in this world.
3. Worship and Sacraments: We affirm that the material is a vehicle of the divine and that Christ is present in such ordinary elements of life as grapes and grain—the basis for our delight in and reverence for Creation. Our worship invites us into transforming encounters with God deep in the flesh and in the world. We are called to worship God with Creation.
4. Ecclesiology: Our human vocation is “to serve and to preserve” Earth. We believe that the church exists for the sake of the world. We do not have an escapist theology. We are called to continual reformation in response to the needs and crises of this life. When Luther was asked what he would do if the world would end tomorrow, he apparently replied, “Plant a tree.”
5. Ethics: We have an ethic of faith-active-in-love for neighbors and for all Creation. Liberated from a legalism that enslaves, we are freed to address new situations, such as the ecological state of the world. We do so not to dominate but as servants to our human and non-human neighbors. We do so not out of fear or guilt or arrogance but joyfully out of grace, love, and gratitude.
6. Social Ministry: With a heritage back to the Reformation, Lutherans have a history of social service to the poor, the elderly, the sick, the oppressed, the marginalized—through hospitals, homes for the elderly, social ministry agencies, Lutheran Immigration Service, and Lutheran World Relief. We extend that service to healing our Earth community.
7. Advocacy: We ELCA Lutherans have relevant social statements: “Caring for Creation” and “Sustainable Livelihood for All.” We have a staff person in environmental/hunger advocacy in Washington and Lutheran Public Policy offices in many states.
8. Scholarship and Education: Many Lutheran scholars have written and spoken on ecology—in theology, ethics, biblical study, and social commentary. Colleges and seminaries of the ELCA have environmental ministry courses that prepare Lutherans for leadership in church and world. Many continuing education events for clergy and laity highlight Creation care.
9. Caring for Creation across the church: Several synods with Creation-care committees have declared themselves to be Care-For-Creation Synods. Many Lutheran congregations incorporate Earth-care commitment in their life and mission—worship, education, building and grounds, discipleship at home and work, and public ministry. Lutheran camps have brought environmental concerns to many people. The ELCA headquarters has a Green Team that works to model environmental action. The ELCA offers grants for environmental projects.(2)
10. Organizations for Earthkeeping: Lutherans have led in the Green Congregation Program, the Green Seminary Initiative, the Web of Creation, promoting Creation-care, and worshiping throughout the church year with resources from and Lutherans Restoring Creation(1) and others.
Lutherans are in a critical position to listen to the cry of the poor along with the cry of Earth and to take leadership in addressing these critical issues of our day. In whatever context you may be serving and living out the Gospel, you’re encouraged to participate in this endeavor.
Our Church Council is considering if and what our congregation is called to do regarding Creation-care. As it was with the Reconciling in Christ process, HTELC may likely undergo a period of study, prayer, and conversation before any decisions are made.
Comments are welcome and may be sent to Glenn at glenncanoe@gmail.com
Glenn Oswald
(1) The title and body of this article (between the asterisks) is from the Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) website with minimal editing. LRC is an organization affiliated with the ELCA.
(2) There’s a bounty of faith-based environmental initiatives that can be found on the internet, including LRC, GreenFaith, Creation Justice Ministries, and programs of many Christian denominations and religions.