I grew up in a relatively conservative Reformed church. Within that group there was and still is a strong emphasis on doctrinal purity. Generally those raised within that community grew up to be faithful Christians, and that community has helped the broader evangelical community in Canada grow. Largely because of my participation in that community, I grew up with a strong evangelical faith, believing in the Father who sent His Son to save those believe in Him. I love Jesus!

There was and is a strong push in this community to define our Christian faith against more liberal forms of Christianity, that is, those that had different views on the place of Scripture in the Christian life, or had alternative definitions of salvation. The critique of liberalism within my community was that it was an attempt to be like the world and still keep the faith, to have your cake and eat it too. And I appreciate that. To be Christian is to be different.

As my faith grew, I also developed a deep appreciation of God’s creation. I loved being outside, exploring the ditches and ponds in our neighbourhood, catching bugs and watching birds. The richness of life on earth has always fascinated me. And that love continues, as I currently work at a native plant nursery, enjoy studying natural history, and regularly interact with others involved in stewarding creation in many different places across Ontario. I love creation!

It should be obvious that these two loves can and do overlap, but often they seem worlds part. In North America, especially in the USA (although not so much in Europe, thankfully), concern for creation within the church is considered a symptom of liberalism. In a recent article in the Globe and Mail, Margaret Wente identifies environmental concern as a symptom of liberalism, as a sign of trying to be like the world. She asks the question that is the title of this article, “”If you really, really care about the environment, why not just join Greenpeace?”

This is the tension that I have always lived with. Should I care about God’s creation in a deeper, (for lack of a better word) more religious way than I do about stamp collecting or aquariums (two hobbies I participated in as a child)? If so, why? Is it simply because everyone else does too, or is there something deeper, a connection to my faith? If I care about God’s creation, am I a liberal Christian, even if I don’t feel like one?

Personally, I think the problem is in the Christian community not understanding the roots of its own faith. The answers to these questions lie in one of Christianity’s founding documents, the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles’ Creed, accepted by all Christians around the world, was not written by the apostles, but is considered a faithful summary of their teachings. Often recited together as part of Christian worship, its opening statement reads, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”

What does “I believe” mean in the context of Christian creeds? “I believe” is not just an intellectual assent, as “I believe it’s raining” might be. Rather, it is an acknowledgement by each and every Christian in the world, when they recite this creed, that they want to worship, praise, love, and trust God, their Father.

Who is this Father? He’s the Creator of heaven and earth. If I respect, love, worship, praise, and trust Someone, how should I treat what that Person has made? Any response that does not include treating that creation with love, honour, praise, and respect is irreverent. It’s not reacting to creation itself, even though so much of it is beautiful and awe inspiring on its own. Rather, the honour and praise is a direct result of the awareness that the God the Father whom I worship, praise, and adore, made this stunning and beautiful world.

It’s that knowledge that drives me, and all those Christians who are earth keepers, to care for God’s creation. It is not liberal Christianity. It does not come out of an impulse to be like the rest of the world. Rather, the foundations of the impulse to care for God’s world are deep in the very origins of Christianity itself. Earth keeping is a testimony. It’s a confession. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]