Mark Ortiz-Carrasco

Everything That Creepeth Mark Ortiz-Carrasco

The world has lied to us. They have told us that all our problems can be solved in 28.3 seconds. If you want power, buy this car. If you want girls, buy this cologne. We as Christians have been so caught up in this lie that the thought of the earth centering on anything else but our own desires, is inconceivable. As Christians we tend to believe that God created life for the benefit of humans. Yet should we not think of ourselves as part of the environment, inter-related with all the plants and animals? I realize that Christians have had a mixed reaction to how they should relate to creation. As Christians we are called to care for all creation in a variety of way from the call to stewardship in Genesis to the admonishment to care for Creation found in the Psalms. Yet sometimes it is not easy. Some Christians have reacted badly when it comes to caring for the environment. Most have not wanted to be green, because the environmental movement has been hijacked by radicals. Another reason is that some Christians do not want to be associated with other ancient religions which focus on worshiping the creation, rather than the creator. Yet, the final redemption of all things will include the redemption of God's creation. So in our present day caring for God's creation may be the ultimate expression of our freedom in Christ. How would we act if we knew that the well-being of other species depended on how we cared for the environment?