Study guide


he environment is arguably the most important issue humanity will face in the next generation. Climate change, projected expansion of fossil fuel use, pol-


lution and a population explosion will tax the Earth’s resources as never before. Many scientists wonder if our planet will be habitable for our descendants unless we change course. What is a Christian response?


By Robert C. Blezard


Creation: A Christian response T


Exercise 1: God’s creation Because our bodies are a temple of the Spirit (1 Corin-


thians 6:19), we should not only refrain from poisoning our health with drugs, alcohol, sloth and bad food, but also exercise, eat right and optimize health. Similarly, since the Earth is God’s creation whose care is


entrusted to us (Genesis 1), why should we not only refrain from practices that degrade the planet, but also work to cre- ate systems of energy use and resource management that increases sustainability?


Exercise 2: Lifestyle changes • What changes have you made to “green” your lifestyle, such as driving less, walking more, driving a smaller car, recycling, using reusable grocery bags, insulating your house, buying less stuff, turning down your thermostat, using less water or switching to energy-efficient light bulbs? What are other steps?


• What’s keeping you from doing all you can? • If everyone in your community, state or our country did their best, what could we achieve?


• How can your congregation be a leader?


Exercise 3: Green church How does your congregation model environmental prac-


tices and educate members about them? Lutherans Restor- ing Creation’s website (www.lutheransrestoringcreation. org) offers a wide range of resources for “Churches/Green Teams” to lead in such areas as energy efficiency, alternative energy use (such as solar panels), recycling, community plot farming, water use, green landscaping and building use. Exploring those resources, discuss ways that your con-


gregation could establish a “Green Team” or become more environmentally friendly. Create a plan of projects that


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could be done immediately, in the short term and eventu- ally. Then estimate their cost. Give this list to your congre- gational leadership for implementation.


Exercise 4: Activism Imploring people to get active in his cause, Martin Luther


King Jr. wrote in The Letter from Birmingham Jail: “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men [and women] willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.” • What is true about this observation? • What role did churches play in the civil rights movement?


• In today’s environmental crisis, what are the similarities to the civil rights movement regarding justice, urgency, people being harmed or threatened, and the moral right- ness of the cause?


• Why and how should churches educate and urge people to action?


• If nothing is done, how will time itself become an ally to environmental destruction?


• What could you do as a congregation or synod?


Exercise 5: Worldview change In movies of the 1940s and 1950s, ever notice how many


characters smoke compared to nowadays? In the short life- time of our grandparents, we’ve transitioned from a largely smoking culture to a largely nonsmoking culture. Discuss: • What were the public policy and education efforts that made that possible?


• Could a similar crusade to clean up the environment be as successful?


• What public policy initiatives could help encourage energy conservation, reduce consumer waste, increase recycling, and result in cleaner air, water and land?


• Are there public and private edu- cation programs that could raise awareness and change behavior?


• What could your church do? 


Author bio: Blezard is an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. He has a master of divinity degree from Boston University and did subsequent study at the


Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Pa.) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.


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