I’m taking a break from the “Sermon on the Mount” series of Blogs
I’ve been writing in order to say a few words about this week’s “Bill
Moyers on America” PBS program which was provocatively entitled “Is
God Green?” In this area it will be aired again on Sunday, October
15th, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
As usual Bill Moyers did an excellent job of bringing out the truth
by just allowing those being interviewed to express themselves. In a
nutshell, this hour’s program dealt with the split in the evangelical
Christians’ views on the environment. (Of course both sides agree that
the word “environment” is a no-no to be avoided!) What was very obvious
to me was the apparent spiritual bankruptcy of both sides: The
self-centered motivations and the spiritual blindness of the “blind
leading the blind.” (Luke 6:39-40)* Where has Jesus’ teaching on
selfless love gone?
Also abundantly evident was the hardness of heart of (what I like to
call) a “meanie greenie” hunter/rancher/pastor whose home was profusely
decorated with massacred animal remains and whose many rifles were
proudly displayed. The spinelessness of the church goers was also
evident in their willingness to follow the leader without question, and
in admitting that they would not have considered becoming “meanie
greenie environmentalists” unless they were given permission by their
pastor.
Watching this, I wondered – If these are truly “born again
believers,” where is the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s working in each
individual’s heart? Don’t they study the Scriptures on their own, and
think about them? Why do they choose to become robots blindly following
their leader, when God gave them a brain and the ability to ponder the
available choices and the reasons for making those choices?
Another segment of the program showed the destruction of the
mountains of West Virginia by a coal mining company and the resulting
pollution that has some residents upset. Again, it was evident that
these “believers” are concerned about God’s creation only when they
become personally affected – as in having blackened water come out of
their kitchen faucets.
The nastiness, viciousness, and arrogance of the other side – those
who have open contempt for anyone who includes all of God’s creation in
his/her sphere of concern – was much in evidence. My recent studying and
writing on the Beatitudes of Jesus helps me to see even more clearly the
cowardly, corrupt political shenanigans of those who continue to hide
behind Christianity in order to fool others. There is an enormous gulf
between Jesus’ teachings and this hi-jacked version of Christianity.
These comments by the Apostle Paul (Romans 1:18-20) are particularly
fitting with which to end this Blog.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them;
for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes,
His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
understood through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
~ New American Standard Bible
* (Luke 6:39-40)
39 And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a
blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has
been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
~ New American Standard Bible
