Because Earth Day has been controversial in the church (its typically being associated with the “anti-establishment” mindset of the hippie culture and later with the New Age Movement) Christians often avoid any sort of “official” Earth Day activities for fear that we will be associated with either of those two worldviews or with the entirely secular mindset regarding the natural world.

This is regrettable, since Christians, of all people, should be the ones who best demonstrate that we value the earth and desire to be good stewards of it—because it is the handiwork of the One we know as our Creator and Sustainer, Savior and Lord.  Further, we also understand from the Scriptures that in God’s plan the earth is going to be refreshed, restored, reunified, and finally reconciled to God (Acts 3:19-21, Romans 8:19-23, Ephesians 1:9-10, Colossians 1:15-20).  In short, this troubled earth, even the cosmos, is going to be reclaimed by the One who created it “very good” and was crowned in His redemptive act by the very thorns that resulted from mankind’s rebellion against Him, its Creator.

This yet stunning fact was summarized by the apostle Paul:

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him—whether things on earth or things in heaven (Colossians1:19-20).

To demonstrate this wonderful hope, I believe it would be good for Christians to take this annual event and help turn it into a rousing creation celebration—a springtime “thanksgiving day” that recognizes the Creator, reminds us of our stewardship responsibilities regarding it, and rejoices in the hope for the creation that only the biblical worldview provides.  By doing this, we both declare and demonstrate the gospel.

Resources for Earth Day

WonderOfCreation.org has resources that can help you and your church or small group take an active and Christian role in this annual celebration and throughout the year.  Consider these:

Dean Ohlman, the WOC host, speaks around the country in churches, colleges, and Bible study groups on Christian environmental ethics, the theology of nature, care of creation, and the biblical worldview that includes examining the place of the natural world in human moral history.  Dean can be reached by calling RBC at 616-942-6770 or by writing him at the address below.  (The only financial obligation for this service is the cost of Dean’s travel expenses.)

Dean Ohlman
RBC Speaker Request
PO Box 2222
Grand Rapids, MI 49501

Day of Discovery video documentaries on “The Wonder of Soil” and “The Wonder of a Tree,” plus other related programs that Dean has helped to produce.  These are viewable online.

Wonder of a Tree
Wonder of Soil

And “The Wonder of Soil” is available for purchase here.

Discovery Series booklets on “celebrating the wonder of creation” that can be obtained for distribution in your church, class, or small group.  You can preview these by reading them online here.

Discovery Series booklets by Dean Ohlman

More in-depth articles on the WOC site here.

See you outdoors!

Dean