As never before, we are constantly made aware of the fragility of planet earth. We could debate each other on cause and effect, levels of severity, who's to blame, and what's to be done about any and all of these concerns that confront the future sustainability of human habitation. But it all adds up to a clarion call for new levels of care for God's creation.

But why should Christians, in particular, care for God's creation? Isn't it enough to leave environmental issues to people with a passion for them? And aren't Christians involved in a greater rescue, salvage and restoration project — the human heart? Here's why Christians are called to care about the environment.

creation is a gift
Genesis 1 records that after God had caringly created the heavens, earth, sun, moon, stars, cycles of seasons, days and nights, sea creatures, fowl, land creatures, and humans in His own image, He declared it all to be "very good." God called for us to be joyful, responsible guardians of it all. The Old and New Testaments repeatedly compel us to see creation as a gift of God to be used carefully, restored restfully and renewed prudently. God's people were called to be the first environmentalists.

creation is groaning
Since Adam and Eve rebelled against God (Genesis 3), all of creation has been "groaning," Paul says (Romans 8:22). Our selfishness, carelessness, violence and greed have increasingly harmed the earth, its living creatures, plant life and natural resources. Still, all creation hopes and waits for its liberation from this time of degradation.

creation — the context of reconciliation
Paul makes clear that God is interested in reconciling all things in heaven and on earth to Himself (Colossians 1:20). Instead of just rescuing a handful of the created human species from a dying earth, the New Testament paints a picture of a renewed heaven and earth in which people — once estranged from God, themselves, one another and creation — are reconciled to each other and to God. So, working for reconciliation between humans and the created order is an essential part of the gospel we have to share with the world.

creation care — a witness to the world
Paul called for the Christian community to be a company of recocilers — literally to stand in the gap and pull people and creation together. Instead of blindly participating in the degradation of creation or foolishly worshiping it, we can be reconcilers of all to one another and to God, working across traditional boundaries and divisive barriers.

10 ways to practice creation care
The following suggestions are offered by Howard Snyder of Asbury Theological Seminary (from an essay titled “Salvation Means Creation Healed”):

1.study the Bible
Study it with creation-care eyes. Learn what the Bible teaches about the creation, earth, God’s covenant with the earth (Genesis 9), and God’s plan for creation restored. Key biblical themes worth
studying are earth, justice, land, shalom, the poor, the nations,
Sabbath/Jubilee and reconciliation.

2.pray
Pray for the healing of the land and the nations. We can pray for reforestation in Haiti, peace in places where war ravages the environment, God’s sustenance for frontline earth healers, and for discernment: “Lord, what would You have me to do?” “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the [Holy Spirit] intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).

3.recycle
Recycle things rather than throwing them away, realizing that waste products never really “go away.” Support communitywide recycling efforts. Remember that it is about 90 percent cheaper and more ecologically responsible to make recycled soda pop cans than to make new ones. Recycling has an economic as well as ecological benefit. It is a way to slow down rather than speed up the entropy of the created order.

4.protect
Support local, state and federal legislation and international agreements that protect the environment and promote creation care. Strengthening the Endangered Species Act, supporting the McCain-Lieberman climate change bill and working for international accords to limit “greenhouse” gases are good places to start. Locally we might work for bike lanes on city streets, more parks and footpaths, and expanded recycling.

5.observe Sabbath
Make Sundays (or another day) real Sabbaths by spending at least an hour reading good books and articles on creation and creation care as a part of mission and discipleship. Combine this with walks (alone or with friends) in fields and woods, paying attention to God’s other creatures.

6.study together
Form a group that focuses on the creation-care dimensions of mission and discipleship — prayer, study, conversation, action.

7.write creatively
Write a poem, hymn, song or meditation celebrating the greatness of God as seen in His creation. The books of Psalms and Job provide wonderful models.

8.change your habits
Form some creation-affirming habits — moderate eating, regular exercising, walking (if possible) instead of riding or using elevators, bird-watching, photographing nature, gardening — whatever best fits your own situation. Use personal disciplines and exercise for the benefit of creation and others, not just for your own health.

9.conserve
Practice energy conservation — for the sake of the planet and the poor, not just to save money — in home-building or renovation, transportation, entertainment and daily habits.

10.network
Become active in an organization or network that promotes the healing of creation from a biblical standpoint. The Evangelical Environmental Network (www.creationcare.org) is a good place to start and a source of information on various networks, resources and programs. The book Redeeming Creation by Fred Van Dyke, et al, lists in an appendix numerous Christian groups devoted to creation care.