In Need of a Cause
One of the things I have against the so-called "Christian Right" is that it seems to have put politics above it’s primary mission, saving souls.
I read this column by Cal Thomas about some evangelical Christians who have decided to jump on the environmental bandwagon. Here’s what Thomas has to say:
"Having witnessed the damage to the church's fundamental message of redemption from a too-close association with the "kingdom of this world" - first in the liberal National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches, and more recently with various conservative religious-political movements - some evangelicals have decided to give it another go. This time, the issue isn't abortion, gay rights, or cleaning up offensive TV programs. They want to clean up the planet."
"Last October, it appeared the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), which claims 30 million members, was headed toward an alliance with the more liberal wing of Christendom over the environment. Rather than call it "environmentalism," which to some reeks of sensible shoes and reusing hotel towels, these evangelicals embraced a euphemism more to their liking. "Creation Care" they decided to call it, and solving "global warming" would be their objective."
It seems to me that the commission Christ gave to His body, the Church, is not as an important cause as saving the planet. I guess after not getting the desired results of being involved heavily with conservative politics, Christians have switched over to the new flavor-of-the-month. I have written extensively in the past on where is the Church today. Well, it looks like they're out hugging trees as in their form of environmentalism euphemistically called "Creation Care". And we wonder why we're not affecting the world as we should. Christ called us to be salt and light in this bland and dark world. But I believe we don’t think that's enough. As Mr. Thomas concludes:
"If evangelicals make the environment another "cause," they are likely to be as frustrated and disappointed as when they exercised misplaced faith in politics to cure other social evils. Should they desire a real effect on the planet, let them return to the eternal message that has been given them to share with a world that needs it now more than ever. That is a message which "cleans up" the inside of the hearts of men and women and places them in a position to more powerfully influence this world and prepare themselves and others for the world to come.'
Amen and amen!
