Earth Stewardship and Human Aging

My transition from full time employment to what I am calling a redirection has allowed me some time to consider how God might use me in this new chapter of life.  I have already blogged on this subject, in 2011 and 2012.  Just search Oikononia using the keyword, redirection.

In the past two years, health matters in our family have been front and center.  Abby and I have made frequent visits to the Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton, OH where Marietta Moser, Abby’s mother (and thankfully, mine by marriage) is a resident.  During our visits with “Mom,” we have met other residents who have entered this dependent stage of their lives.  Most have severe limitations in mobility, continence, mental alertness, and communication.  Yet, each of them can express traits of their personality that shine through their worn, wrinkled faces and stooped postures, reflecting who they were in their younger days. 

Until her debilitating stroke in 2011, “Mom” had resided in a small home in Kilgore, Ohio where she and her husband, Don, had lived since the late 1940’s.  During those years, she was committed to the task of raising seven daughters and pointing them to faith in God through her words and actions.  “Mom” always lovingly served family and friends who came into her home.   She also provided a godly example to her husband for 33 years of their marriage, and he finally found peace with God through faith in Christ during the final months of his life.  Since “Dad’s” death in 1980, “Mom” has lived another 33 years as a widow.  Now, confined to wheelchair and short ventures with a walker, her heart still pours forth kindness and generosity toward fellow residents, and to her family and friends who visit.  Though sadness and loneliness must creep over her at times like darkening shadows, her face brightens upon our arrival, and her smile is still beautiful when we speak of fond memories of days gone by.

Our fast-paced, “get it now” culture tends to devalue older adults who speak with difficulty, move slowly, and spill their food and drink.  Yet, I’m learning that it can be a blessing to become acquainted with the elder folks at Golden Age.  Taking time to greet them with at least a smile, and where possible with words, often brings a smile and greeting in return.  Wrinkles, blemishes, and soiled bibs sometimes create a dreary atmosphere, but brightened faces shine forth amid any apparent dreariness like the faces in Rembrandt’s paintings.  Instead of wondering about who they once were, I’m inspired by who they are.

Having reflected on the joy that still radiates from Marietta Moser and others who reside at Golden Age, I wonder “how then, I should be living” so as not to have a dismal, joyless existence if I should be allowed to enter into this period of dependency in life.  Such pondering brings me to yet another facet of that important concept of stewardship.  Biblical stewardship reminds us that God is Owner and Master, and we are His servant stewards to whom He has entrusted all that we have.  If this is true, then the Apostle Paul’s questions apply to any stage of our lives:

For who regards you as superior?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it? – 2 Corinthians 4: 8

Stewardship means that we view our responsibility as managers of time, talents, and treasures at every stage of our lives.  As children our parents taught us elementary lessons of stewardship when they encouraged us to share “our toys” with other children or return toys to the toy box or shelf when we were finished.   It follows that stewardship that is nurtured and applied by God’s grace and truth can keep us on a trajectory that is appropriate for every stage of life.  After all, the lessons of the playroom or pre-school also apply to the workplace and profession of adulthood.  All that differs is the kind of “toys” we choose to accumulate, how many “toys”, and how we choose to share them.

A stewardship mindset applied to human health itself explains how older adults can still have joy when they become dependent on others for nearly everything.  While there are genetic factors and events beyond our control as we age, with God’s help it is within our stewardship responsibility to thank Him each day for our health and for the food, shelter, and support system upon which we are very dependent.  Again, the Apostle Paul, writing to young Timothy, gives helpful instruction to us (1 Timothy 6: 7-11):

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Happiness is not about accumulating wealth any more than spirituality is about living a monastic existence.  Abraham and Job show us how men of great wealth can also walk closely to God and be a blessing to man.  But Jesus taught us that …from everyone who has been given much, much will be required…(Luke 12: 48).  The one who holds his or her “toys” and other possessions loosely and generosity during their “active years” will more likely be inclined to release  them peaceably and even thoughtfully when it’s time to enter a state of dependent living.

Chuck Dolph, senior professor of psychology at Cedarville University, supports the notion that aging need not be the dreaded part of life.   Rather, for the Christian, aging is a valuable season with meaning and purpose along life’s path to a glorious eternity with God.  In his article, “Thank God for Aging” (Torch magazine, Spring-Summer, 2007), Chuck beautifully expresses how aging can help us apply the truth of Psalm 90 which reminds us of the finiteness of our lives on Earth; and therefore, the need to number our days, That we may present to You [God] a heart of wisdom (v. 12).  He writes:

We must not forget that there is always meaning and purpose, even in aging and illness.  Aging strips us.  If we live long enough, we will lose our beauty, our strength, our wealth, our independence, the control of our bodily functions, our pride, and perhaps our very self.  These are our idols, all the things that we trust in life to make us attractive, valuable, and self-sufficient.

If our aging is successful, we will end our lives striped of everything but God, totally naked and helpless, utterly dependent on Him and the love of others.  Everything that we trusted in life for our worth will have been stripped away.  

Dr. Dolph concludes, What a blessing to finally find our right relationship to God!  Thank God for aging. 

For the Christian steward, the reality of aging can be a North Star of sorts to which he or she can chart a trajectory during the “younger years.”   This trajectory is based on an awareness that all we have belongs to God, and part of our stewardship can be a Spirit-led, creative adventure of discovering how to use our time, talents, and treasures in accordance with each stage of life.  

Returning to the Golden Age Retreat, in Carrollton, OH, I am reminded of one of the residents whose name is “George” (not his real name).  George ambles slowly with the help of a walker on wheels.  He speaks slowly and explains that his hands are affected by arthritis.  But his smile brightens when I ask him to play some tunes with his harmonica.    See YouTube Video.

As I conclude this article, I thank God for both Marietta Moser and my friend, George.  Both of them are teaching me how to set a trajectory on my path toward eternity; one that holds loosely and manages wisely what God has entrusted to me.  Folks like Marietta and George have little left to manage, but what they do have brings praise to their Creator.  The sweet musical notes from George’s harmonica bless all who hear them there on the porch of Golden Age Retreat before they float out across the quiet countryside and off into the heavens above.

Stewardship of Enduring Friendships

One special blessing in this new chapter of life (I’m avoiding the word “retirement”) is realizing that true riches are measured in enduring ‘currency’ more precious than gold which is perishable (1 Peter 1:7).   My “Tribute to a Rich Uncle” highlighted the enduring elements of his true richness– fatherly interest and concern, a listening ear, and an affirmation that my pursuits were worthwhile and important to him.   

More recently, I’ve discovered true riches in the cultivation of enduring friendships.  Telephone, e-mail, and Facebook work well for connecting and staying connected with long-time friends.  However, for me, social media do not provide the glue necessary to sustain relationships beyond the “acquaintance” level.  I agree with the statistics reporting that most people have many acquaintances but only a few close friends.  One of my goals now is to give greater attention to deepening some "old friendships" that have languished over time.  But first, let's consider some biblical teaching on friendship.
 
The New Testament account of Jesus Christ’s relationships with men and women reveals different “levels” of friendship. Here, we find two Greek words most commonly translated “friend.”  The first is hetairos, meaning an “associate” or “companion.”  This denotes a relationship without strong sentiment or close affection.   However, a “dear friend” (philos) is one for whom there is strong affection (Gr. phile).  For a “beloved friend” we purposely ‘do good’ as a result of an ‘affectionate conviction.’  Jesus was involved in both levels of friendship.

When one of the twelve disciples, Judas, approached Jesus to betray Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, "Friend (hetairos), do what you have come for (Matt. 26:50)."  But, regarding Lazarus who experienced a fatal illness, Jesus said, "Our friend (philos) Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep (John 11:11)."  The Jewish leaders must have witnessed Jesus’ compassion toward sinners, for they considered Him “a friend (philos) of tax collectors and sinners (Matt. 11: 19).”

 During His 3-year ministry on Earth, the friendship of Jesus and his disciples advanced from the level of acquaintance or association (hetarios) to one of strong affection (phile) and endearment (philos).  After Judas departed from the gathering in the upper room, Jesus expressed the level of His affection toward the remaining disciples as recorded in John 15: 12-15 (NIV):  

“My command is this:  Love (agapao) each other as I have loved you.  Greater love (agape) has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (philos).  You are my friends (philos) if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants (doulos), because a servant (doulos) does not know his master's business.  Instead, I have called you friends (philos), for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Note that this deepening relationship was not because God’s love (agape), already infinite and perfect (1 John 4: 8), was deepening over time, but because His followers were growing to love Him more.  I am learning from this study that endearing friendships require agape love which, in turn, is based on faithfulness and commitment, and upon knowledge and communication.

Love is ultimately a gift from God, and apart from His grace, there is neither love nor enduring friendship.  Christ communicated the depth of His love when He foretold that He would lay down His life for His disciples (John 15:13).   In return, the strong and growing affection of Jesus’ followers toward Him is represented by Peter who exclaimed, Lord, …I will lay down my life for You (John 13: 37).  

After comforting and encouraging His disciples concerning His impending death and departure, Jesus explained that love toward Him will be evident by their commitment and obedience as illustrated by the branches of a vine that must faithfully abide in order to bear fruit (John 15: 1-14).

In addition to love and commitment, the deepening friendship between Christ and His disciples was based on knowledge.  In John 15:15, the Savior declares His intent to reveal to them more of those things the Father had made known to Him.  The relationship Jesus was defining is one in which His disciples could know or recognize (as in Gr. oida), more and more of His will and purposes.  Earlier, as recorded in John 10, Jesus used the same word, oida, in the context of sheep that know or recognize the voice of their shepherd and they obediently follow him. 

Today, Jesus invites us into an agape love relationship with Him that deepens according to our commitment when we withhold nothing from Him, even our lives; a friendship in which we learn to recognize and follow His voice through the discipline of prayer and reading of His Word.  This three-fold, love-commitment-knowledge, relationship is what Jesus means when He commands us to Abide in Me, and I in you (John 15:4) so that you can bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (v. 5).  As you abide in me, Jesus says, My person and power through the Holy Spirit will abide in you resulting in much fruit—God’s love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5: 22-23). 

Out of our intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus, He promises, If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it (John 14: 14).  This relationship is not one in which Jesus poses as the “central bank” and gives us an ATM card for anything we want.  Rather, He is describing what will happen when our beloved friendship with Him, characterized by love and faithful commitment as evidenced by our communion with Him through His written Word and through prayer leads us to ask in prayers that are in harmony with what Christ stands for (i.e. His Name).  The fruit of this level of ‘beloved friendship’ is the servant stewardship God rejoices in.

The servant steward recognizes that he or she is not the vine (John 15: 1).  The true vine is Jesus upon Whom the steward is utterly dependent.  Nor is the steward the Gardener (or Vinedresser, v. 1).  The Gardener is the Father God.  Instead, the steward is a branch of the vine, submissive to the authority of the Gardener.  Yet, the Gardener calls us to be fruitful stewards, or “gardeners” (small “g”) in His image by cultivating friendship relationships as sons and daughters; and, perhaps later, as husbands, wives, parents, teachers, pastors, scientists, lawyers, and government or civic leaders.  Each of these roles ultimately involves the stewardship of friendships that grow out of our abiding friendship with Christ.

The level of friendship possible through God’s love, commitment, and knowledge is not easily achieved—I speak from my own faltering efforts and from my continual need of God’s grace and forgiveness.  My wife is my witness, but she is also my most cherished gift and focus of learning how to be a beloved friend. 

I believe God wants us to view friendship as both the “core responsibility” and the personal side of our larger responsibility to Him as stewards.  The quality of human stewardship rooted in Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:15-25 depends on the quality of relationships, especially friendships, from the very beginning. 

Lloyd and I on a memorable Sunday afternoon in May

In March, Lloyd and I were able to communicate through Facebook, and we agreed to get together sometime this summer. Lloyd was a gracious friend to me at Garaway High School, Sugarcreek, OH.  We met as freshmen in 1961 as a result of a school consolidation.  Our graduating class was to become part of “the class of 1965” much referenced in historical reflections of the “turbulent ‘60’s.”

This summer I have been blessed by occasions to renew my friendship with a high school friend, Lloyd; and, a college friend, Roger.  My relationship to both of these men had been weakly maintained over the years.  Geographic separation and the priorities of our careers and family had made closer friendship impossible.  Thankfully, all of this is beginning to change this summer.

Lloyd was a quiet, handsome, young man who was greatly respected at school for his academic ability and wit.  Like many of our classmates, Lloyd and I were both disciplined in our study habits, most of the time.  However, Lloyd’s circle of friends and acquaintances was much broader than mine because it included football and band.  In spite of this difference, he never deliberately excluded me from that larger circle. Consequently, and as we look back, we see that God used our friendship to sharpen each other academically and socially as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17).

On a Sunday afternoon in Mid-June, I was blessed by a visit from Lloyd.  We spent the afternoon relating to each other our testimonies of how God had worked in each of our lives since high school.  I was amazed at how much there was in common about our spiritual responses to God’s work in our lives.  As a result of that afternoon of fellowship with each other in the conscious presence of God, our friendship was renewed through our common interest in the enduring richness of desiring to know God better and to witness of His grace and truth at work in our lives and future goals.

In the mid-1960’s following our graduation from high school and the enrollment in colleges distant from each other, I had mistakenly allowed our friendship to languish for lack of communication.  The challenge of getting accustomed to residence and classroom settings on a college campus came to me with the necessity of making many new friends.  I am only now realizing what friendship treasures I allowed to go by the wayside as a result of the thrill of a new chapter of life for me.

One of my new college friends was Roger, a man who had been in the armed services.  Being a few years older and wiser, Roger became an important tool of God in my life.  Although Roger’s major was chemistry, and mine was comprehensive science, we had many courses in common.  His maturity and commitment to getting serious about cracking the books was just what I needed to establish good academic commitment.  As our college careers progressed, we were each blessed with relationships with the respective women we would eventually marry; and, we exchanged the honor of being one another’s best man on our respective wedding days.

Roger, Yellow Trillium, and I

Although marriage and our respective professional careers would take its toll on keeping close as friends, one academic area that Roger and I shared in common was botany.  Our common interest in plants continued to be a link that maintained our friendship from a distance over the years.  I was blessed to hear of Roger’s travels across eastern North America to study the plant genus, Trillium.  On several occasions, Abby and I were able to visit Roger and his wife, Margaret, at their home and to see some of Roger’s live plantings of Trilliums, some of which he transplanted from far-away places.

Now that both of us are entering retirement (There, I said it!), we have shared several blessed times together as have our wives.  Communication about common interests and enduring values has deepened our friendship which I treasure greatly.  Roger has demonstrated two qualities that been a blessing to me.  First, he has shown me how to give a gift that would be a blessing to his friend.  When he and Margaret visited us in Wooster in May, Roger unwrapped a gorgeous Yellow Trillium, Trillium luteum, from a population he has maintained in his backyard.  Now, I have this Trillium in our backyard as a growing reminder of our friendship.

Pawpaw Tree with Twist-Tie to Guide Its Growth

Roger has demonstrated a second quality of a good friend; namely, ability to provide candid and edifying counsel over the years.  His example and forthrightness was instrumental in helping me to take seriously my academic, moral, and social responsibilities.  Interestingly, my friend provided an excellent metaphor of his role in my life during the May visit to our home.  When I showed Roger my Pawpaw tree, Asimina triloba, given as a gift as reported in earlier blog entries (Search Oikonomia under “Pawpaw.”), he immediately set about repositioning the stem and branches in relation to my tree stake so that its growth would be enhanced.  I trust that my growth in Christ will be enhanced by a responsiveness to the molding and shaping influence of friends.

As I seek to renew long-term friendships, I am thankful for the inputs of both Lloyd and Roger to my life, and for the reminder that I also have a “stewardship of friendship” responsibility toward them.  May my friendships and those of you the reader be deepened as we have here considered the role of agape love, mutual commitment, and knowledge in our stewardship of these “enduring riches.”

Calling for Stewardship Without a Master

Recently, I received an online invitation to complete an opinion survey from a foremost, international, conservation organization of which I have been a member for many years.  The invitation explained that the purpose of the survey was to [with emphasis mine]

improve our story and the language we use to inspire support and action globally.  We seek to enhance the description of the organization and its vision in ways that…[are]

authentic, [distinct], emotionally compelling, [and] …successful at presenting the benefits of what we do and the case for why people should care and support our mission.

From the above excerpt of the survey, we can see that this particular conservation organization aims to sharpen its bid for support in two ways.  First, to clearly define its mission and its vision; and second, to present a more “authentic” and “compelling” appeal to its constituency on behalf of caring for the environment.   In short, if you care about the environment, and “buy into” our mission to care for it, then you will decide to support our efforts.

The online survey was one of the best I’ve ever completed.   Following a number of well designed inquiries to measure my response to the organizations’ priorities and language, the survey presented an essay summarizing its rationale, mission, and current conservation activities.  I was directed to use the cursor to highlight in either green or red any particular words or phrases in the essay that elicited a positive or a negative response, respectively.   I was also asked to write a rationale for each of my responses.

Finally, the essay was divided into paragraphs and each was presented individually along with hypothetical responses and a request that I select the response with which I could most closely identify.  The following hypothetical response was of greatest interest to me because it seemed to address most closely the goals of the survey (emphasis mine).

BROWN (fictional name) believes this earth is a special place where life is possible.  More than that, Brown believes it is an incredible and precious gift and that every one of us has the personal responsibility to protect it and to live our lives in a way that ensures it will remain healthy for future generations.  We are all stewards of the earth.

I am in general agreement with the thrust of this statement; but, I must contend that the organization offers no foundation or worldview that is sufficient to uphold the claims of the statement.   First,  hypothetical “Mr. Brown” values Earth because he “believes [it is] a special place”—one that presumably has the unique conditions necessary to support life as we know it.  Although it seems plausible that the so-called anthropic principle is true, our limited sampling of the universe prevents us from validating the claim with certainty.   Therefore, Mr. Brown needs a more convincing appeal on behalf of the environment, and he moves right to it.

Second, just as Mr. Brown believes Earth is unique so also he believes it is a precious gift.  Here, I believe Mr. Brown’s claim is without foundation on two counts.   First, it is not clear why “believers” like Mr. Brown believe that Earth is “unique” and “special.”  Is their belief based on science, or faith, or some combination of the two?  If faith is involved, Mr. Brown’s belief would appear particularly unfounded in the eyes of naturalistic, evolutionary scientists who generally deny the role of faith in science.  They would also deny any role for supernatural causation in the work of evolution to which they attribute the marvelous biological systems of planet Earth.  Nothing “unique” or “special” in that

Mr. Brown’s claim that Earth is a gift is even more precarious and unfounded than his “belief system” unless he accounts for “a giver” of this gift.  But to name a “giver” or “Giver” or “Creator” would be out of the question within a naturalistic worldview.  Furthermore, to presume that humans out of all the evolved species are the recipients of this gift of nature only further affirms an anthropocentric ethic which many blame for the environmental fix we’ve gotten into in the first place.

The third appeal from Mr. Brown is based on the rights of future generations.  Few can deny that this is a strong argument, particularly to those who have children and grandchildren, or who love the younger generations in general.  However, this claim too has its limitations, particularly when we realize how poorly we can predict either the future needs of humankind or the amazing ability of technology to open whole new avenues to meet those needs.

Finally, as if to place a capstone on his earlier claims, Mr. Brown states that humans are stewards of the Earth.   Humans as stewards are supposed to realize that they have a responsibility toward planet Earth like a servant to his or her master.  As such, humans are to manage the affairs on the master’s behalf.  The concept of stewardship is as old as the history of master-owner and master-slave relationships.     Stewards were required to be faithful in managing that which did not belong to them; but instead belongs to—whom?   Who exists in the role of master?

Here, we find two more problems within Mr. Brown’s use of the concept of stewardship to appeal to us as would-be caretakers of nature.  First, as history affirms, stewards are required to manage things that belong to someone else.  But Mr. Brown has just claimed that the Earth is a gift to us to cherish and conserve.  Gifts are given with the understanding that the recipient can claim ownership.  But if we are owners, the very point of the concept stewardship is dulled.  Brown’s stewardship is further diminished by the fact that he doesn’t mention an owner—someone (Or is it “Someone?”) who delegates authority and responsibility to stewards and provides objective, ethical and ecological guidelines for judging proper management of Earth’s environment. 

In summary, we have attempted to point out that fictitious Mr. Brown’s appeal, one that is commonly expressed in some form by conservation organizations and government agencies, is philosophically and ethically weak because it lacks foundation and consistency.   The devil seems to be in the details, creating subjectivity and confusion with respect to (a) the uniqueness of Earth, (b) the role of faith or belief, (c) the uncertainty of future generations, and (d) confusion regarding the notions of gift and steward.  Unless these concepts are resolved, the appeal offers only good-sounding words that echo from a time when words like belief, ownership, and stewardship meant something much more.  Let’s look back into the history of another conservation organization at a time when this richer meaning was still included.

The December-January, 1970 issue of National Wildlife magazine, published by the National Wildlife Federation, opens with the following words spread across several very colorful pages:

The hand of the Creator is seen in all living things,
An inquisitive ground squirrel, a striking egret;
A katydid’s song, or colorful violets;
Towering redwoods…and puny man.
But man is the lone creature with power to reason.
He has an awesome responsibility,
Because the Creator has made him steward.

The emphasis upon wonder, responsibility, and stewardship are evident in the statements of both organizations, but a four-decade span reveals the disappearance of the key element—our Creator.  In my judgment, the Creator God of the Judeo-Christian stewardship ethic is the missing piece in Mr. Brown’s confusing appeal.  The special revelation of the Bible teaches that God is the Owner and Master of planet Earth.  Genesis 1: 26-28 reveals that God gave mankind the dominion or kingship, and the power to rule over the land, water, and creatures.  Then, Genesis 2:15 further defines this dominion by explaining that Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden to “till and keep” the land.  In Hebrew, “till and keep” are translated to our words “to serve” and “to preserve” in such a way that the land will “serve back” with a fruitful growth and harvest.  

We also understand from Scripture that God retains ownership of His creation.  Contrary to Mr. Brown’s claim, creation was not God’s gift to man.  Instead, man received the gift of relationship with God and the gift of being able to “serve with” creation to unlock its bounty for the benefit of all creation.

For the past five years, I have used my Oikonomia blog to express the content and relevance of the Christian stewardship ethic.  I have also cited the writings of many Christian environmental ethicists like Michael Northcott who argue much better than I that a biblical environmental stewardship ethic offers a better hope for the future of the world than a purely secular ethic.[1]   J. Baird Callicott wrote in his popular conservation biology textbook:

The Judeo-Christian Stewardship Environmental Ethic is especially elegant and powerful. It also exquisitely matches the requirements of conservation biology. The Judeo-Christian Stewardship Environmental Ethic confers objective value on nature in the clearest and most unambiguous of ways: by divine decree.” ^[2] 

Although many secular ethicists have followed Lynn White[3] in blaming the Judeo-Christian ethic for leading western civilization to plunder the environment, he failed to realize that it was not the Christian ethic per se but the failure of the church to correctly apply it that has caused much abuse of the environment.  This unfortunate misapplication of the Dominion/Stewardship Mandate outlined throughout the Bible has also led those in leadership positions in the environmental movement to either ignore or reject it as having any usefulness in their appeal for us to care for the Earth.

And so the “Mr. Brown’s” of our world wonder how they can present a more authentic and compelling appeal to their constituencies on behalf of caring for the environment.  Might it be that today’s conservation organizations are like plants whose roots have been pruned to nonexistence leaving them “high and dry” without an objective anchor or foundation?  Although they use words that once had objective significance, their appeals are now subjective, largely anthropocentric, and uncompelling.  Perhaps Carl Pope, past president of the Sierra Club, speaking of his own generation of environmentalists, summarizes my point best in his apology to the Orthodox church:

We sought to transform society, but ignored the fact that when Americans want to express something wiser and better than they are as individuals, by and large they gather to pray.  We acted as if we could save life on Earth without the same institutions through which we save ourselves.[4]

Carl Pope’s words have not fallen on totally deaf ears.  In recent years, the environmental movement has recognized the importance of bringing evangelical leaders “onboard” to increase the impact of their appeal, particularly related to their concern about climate change.  Indeed, many climate scientists and politicians including the current administration in Washington have “come aboard.”  However, I fear that that the “environmental movement” may be going from a “rootless plant” to an “anchorless ship.”  Government agencies and NGO’s certainly have an essential role, but proper stewardship of planet Earth must begin within the hearts of transformed individuals.  As conservationist and ethicist Aldo Leopold stated:

No important change in ethics was ever accomplished without an internal change in our intellectual emphasis, loyalties, affections, and convictions.[5]

Leopold was skeptical that government agencies and movements alone could produce such change:

Things that are done wholly by government are really not done, because any decent land-use is worthwhile, not only for its effect on the land, but for its effect on the owner. If the owner is an impersonal government, nobody is benefitted except the government employee.[6]

As I have stated elsewhere in Oikonomia, and as just stated by Leopold, real changes in attitudes leading to meaningful and effective stewardship of the environment cannot be fostered primarily by government.  Although it is unclear whether Leopold personally experienced spiritual transformation, such a change must begin with individual recognition of Who the Creator and Owner of creation is; and, an understanding of His plan that begins with a spiritual reconciliation between God and each fallen man.  Reconciliation begins with a conviction and recognition of our sin nature, followed by confession (owning up to) of his or her sin and need of forgiveness through faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ on a Roman cross(Romans 10: 9-10). 

Once reconciled with our Creator, we can begin to understand our responsibility as stewards of (a) the message of the Gospel of Christ and (b) the material world and resources entrusted to us by our Creator.  Acting in complementary fashion with the local church (a fellowship of the “body of Christ”), we are nurtured by family and community relationships toward the development of godly character and ethical behavior toward God, our neighbor, and toward creation. 

Finally, as Leopold suggested above, the exercise of stewardship of the land is worthwhile, not only for its effect on the land, but for its effect on the owner.  What a bonus!  When we care for creation, we enhance our own strength of character and virtues.  Likewise, as we “serve creation,” creation “serves us back” with its bounty.  As I have written elsewhere[7], climate change or any environmental issue is best addressed beginning with a “change of character” that works its way out though godly living in family, church, and community.

Points for Comments:
1.   Of what conservation or environmental organization(s) are you a member and why?
2.   To what extent can an environmental organization “do good” for the environment without its philosophy and mission grounded in a biblical stewardship ethic?
3.   How would your rationale for caring for the environment or “creation” differ from that represented in the statement attributed to Mr. Brown?

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[1]   Northcott, Michael S.  1996.  The Environment and Christian Ethics.  Cambridge University Press.

[2]  Callicott, J. Baird.  1994. “ConservationValues and Ethics,” pp. 24–49, 36 in Principles of Conservation Biology, 2d ed., eds. G. K. Meffe and C. R. Carroll.  Sinauer Associates, 1994).

[3]  White, Lynn Jr.  1967. “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis,” Science 155 (1967): 1203–7, 1205.

[4]  Pope, Carl.  1998. “Reaching Beyond Ourselves: It’s Time to Recognize Our Allies in the Faith Community,” Sierra Magazine 83: 14-15 (November/December)

[5]  Leopold, A. 1948.  “The Land Ethic” in p. 201-214. :  A Sand County Almanac.  London: Oxford U. Press.

[6]  Leopold, A. “Letter to Douglas Wade, dated October 23, 1944,”  Leopold Papers 9/25/10-8 Box 1 Folder 3, 465. as cited at http://www.humansandnature.org/aldo-leopold--reconciling-ecology-and-economics-article-122.php

[7]  Silvius, J.  Creation Care and Christian Character.   Creation Care (Summer, 2007): 7-9.   Online Article HERE

Reflections on Father’s Day

On this Father's Day, I paused to thank my Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy which He first revealed to me through my earthly father, Bert Silvius.

With Dad and Sister, Margie

One of my earliest memories of Dad was singing with him in our little Methodist Church, in Dundee, Ohio.  Dad made a point of sharing the hymnal with me so that I could see the time-honored words of the great hymns of the faith.  As I sang along with Dad the hymn "This Is My Father's World" and observed his big hands, strong and toughened by the toil of farm work, I remember feeling so safe and glad because my world seemed to be held and controlled by his strong hands.

As I grew into elementary age and could work on the farm, I was glad to work alongside my Dad even though it was more fun to play with my sister or my cousins when they were around.  Our family shared the house with my Dad's parents and my Uncle, Glen Silvius.  There were many happy times for me, but there were also times of strife.   You see, farming had its challenges for my Dad. Working in partnership with two brothers and the watchful eye of his own father who had his own ideas, provided many opinions on how things should be done.  Yet I never heard my Dad show disrespect for his brothers or his father. Instead, he worked hard and was usually the one to whom the others came when advice was needed.

Gradually, I came to know that my earthly father was not in control of the world.  There were people and forces much larger than Dad that appeared to control the course of events.  But, through my Dad's example of responsibility and respect, I learned to know that this big, uncertain world actually belongs to the God of Heaven.  And eventually I came to know this God personally as my Heavenly Father.  This process took many years but it came about in an unusual way.

As I grew into my teens, I faced adolescent challenges of relationships both in our family and at school.  I obeyed my parents who challenged me with the help of regular "disciplinary reminders" over the years.  I came to realize my own tendency to be selfish and mean, often to the chagrin of my sister or our farm cats.  Many times, I was sorry for my behavior, and I knew that it disappointed both my parents and the God of Heaven.

Meanwhile, over the years I had grown used to observing Dad both in public and in private.  I watched him in front of our church reading passages from the Bible, or leading in prayer and sharing ideals that seemed wise but so hard for me to attain.   I watched Dad as I worked with him, my cousin, and my uncles on the farm.  Both uncles had "short fuses" and would verbally abuse my Dad when things didn't go the way they wanted it to go.  Yet, as I noted earlier, I never heard my Dad respond in a disrespectful manner.  He was not perfect but I had to admit that the words he read from the Bible and the prayers he prayed in public were consistent with the way he tried to live outside of church during the week. As a result, Dad showed me enough of what God must be like to prepare my heart for the day when I would confess that I too was a struggling sinner who needed God's grace and mercy to deal with my sin nature and to save me from my own selfish tendencies. For that I say “Thank you, Dad.”

I considered Dad well educated and wise even though he voluntarily ended his formal education in his 8^th grade year in order to help his parents on the farm.  Although his formal education stopped, Dad’s love for learning continued throughout his life.  He read every farm magazine and scientific book he could obtain.  His love for mathematics, botany, and chemistry allowed us to converse about my organic chemistry when I was home from college as he milked the cows and I forked manure.  He and Mom not only helped to pay for my college education, but they both shared their love for learning in a contagious way.  Far from being envious of my "higher education” Dad, and my Uncle Glen who had no sons of his own, were my greatest male encouragers.

And so, on this Father's Day, I can truly say, "Thank you, Dad.  I miss you still.  I trust that one day, you will enjoy a reunion with all of us who are counting on God's grace and the promise of Real Life to come.  Although at this time you may not have the ability or the time to do so, I believe you would enjoy seeing your grandchildren and their spouses, and your great-grandchildren.  Being "mechanically minded" has skipped a generation, you know; and, your grandson, Brad, demonstrates the same versatility in both mental and mechanical skills that you had.  Space does not permit me to go into details here but I have recently written about one of his projects, The Little Leaders Company.  Brad was aided by his gifted wife, Raquel, and other family members and friends in the production of several DVD's that are now teaching biblical values to children. Brad has also taught Abby and I much about ourselves and God's goodness.  Just today, he gave me a call for Father's Day today which was a blessing as always. 

Furthermore, you will remember the little blond granddaughter you used to carry around.   Just wait until you see what a lovely woman Melinda Maetta has become.  She's a nurse and nurse supervisor, and you had a part in igniting that interest in her-- one day, she will love to tell you about it.   She also makes a good pastor's wife.  You haven't personally met our son-in-law, Steve,  but  as a young pastor, he now stands before the members of Northpoint Church of the Nazarene and reads from the Bible, preaches, and prays.  God has done a great work in his life and continues to mold and shape him. You will also enjoy Mindy and Steve's son, Caleb, and two daughters, Kiara Maetta and Della Rose Katherine.   And now Mindy and Steve's three children remind me of myself when I sat in church, listening to you read from the Bible and pray—with at least one exception:  they are already ministering through helping with technology (Caleb) and in music (all three). As was my experience, I pray that their love and respect for their earthly parents will grow in such a way that they will come to know, love, and trust their Heavenly Father with their lives.  

I didn't mean to be this "long winded" but would be amiss, Dad, if I didn't mention the greatest person in my life, the Abby that you admired in both words and actions.   She has been the key to anything good that has come from my family and my work by God's grace.

Dad, your work on Earth is finished, but ours continues.  We pray for the grace from God to continue to love Him and to follow His Word and the principles that make for a godly family. Perhaps the prayer you wrote and prayed nearly fifty years ago this year is a fitting way to end this reflection.  Thanks for praying and applying God's principles as my Dad.”

May all of us come to understand that right living alone exalteth a family,

that only in Thy will can peace and harmony abound.

Help us to live together as people who have been forgiven a great debt.

Help us to be gentle, walking softly with one another.
Help us to be understanding, lest we shall add to the world=s sorrow.

Help us to stand for what is right,

Not because it may yield dividends later,

but because it is right now.

Help us to be as anxious that the rights of others shall be recognized

as we are that our own shall be established.

Help us to be eager to forgive as we are to be forgiven.

God help us all to be ministers of mercy
and ambassadors of kindness for Jesus,

In Whose Name we pray, “Our Father Who are in Heaven…”

 Bert Silvius,   April 19, 1964