I correspond with many scientists and engineers who fully grasp the seriousness of the climate situation. Many of them also recognize that there is a spiritual component to our response. However, Genesis 1:28 has driven many of them away from the organized church.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Regarding the ‘web of life’ ― it’s tricky. I have a moderately large back yard. The other day we spotted some poison ivy. So I hit it with weed killer. Yet I suppose that poison ivy has its place in the overall system.
‘You cannot do just one thing’.
BTW: We have successfully grown cherry tomatoes, to the extent that they have become a weed (like poison ivy).
Ian, yes it is tricky to pay attention to the balance of nature. For example, we have invasive species problems when new species are introduced to the environment and drive out other species. We have to push back, and find ways to get rid of poison ivy. Nature gives us examples of both symbiosis and competitiveness. But it is a step forward to start thinking ecologically about the interplay between humans and Creation, instead of the "subdue and dominate" mindset. That word "dominion" has created great problems. Some scholars make a compelling case to translate the word as "stewardship" instead.
I correspond with many scientists and engineers who fully grasp the seriousness of the climate situation. Many of them also recognize that there is a spiritual component to our response. However, Genesis 1:28 has driven many of them away from the organized church.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Regarding the ‘web of life’ ― it’s tricky. I have a moderately large back yard. The other day we spotted some poison ivy. So I hit it with weed killer. Yet I suppose that poison ivy has its place in the overall system.
‘You cannot do just one thing’.
BTW: We have successfully grown cherry tomatoes, to the extent that they have become a weed (like poison ivy).
Ian, yes it is tricky to pay attention to the balance of nature. For example, we have invasive species problems when new species are introduced to the environment and drive out other species. We have to push back, and find ways to get rid of poison ivy. Nature gives us examples of both symbiosis and competitiveness. But it is a step forward to start thinking ecologically about the interplay between humans and Creation, instead of the "subdue and dominate" mindset. That word "dominion" has created great problems. Some scholars make a compelling case to translate the word as "stewardship" instead.
The catch is that we are the ultimate invasive species.
Now back to stopping the spread of cherry tomatoes.