it's earth day

happy earth day... "...the proper exercise of dominion yields shalom-the flourishing of all creation. this is a far cry from dominion as domination. and Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, defines dominion in terms clearly contrary to the way it is usually understood. for Jesus, to rule is to serve. to exercise dominion is to suffer. humans, therefore, are called to rule, but only if ruling is understood rightly." "we are to serve and protect the garden that is creation-literally be a slave to the earth for its own good, as well as for our benefit...we are called to dominion as service." "biblical eschatology affirms the redemption and restoration of creation...and proper stewardship of nonhuman nature is a task with eternal consequences."

-"for the beauty of the earth; a Christian vision for creation care" by, steven bouma-prediger

"from the perspective of Scripture, we can accept our role as creation's 'rulers' with both enthusiasm and humility. with enthusiasm, because we can rejoice with God in the special role he has given us to bear his image on earth. with humility, because we receive this task by God's choice, not our cleverness, and because we will be held accountable to God for our actions toward creation, as well as for our care for it." "there are four aspects we must consider if we would understand a Christian view of ruling and subduing creation. the first is knowledge...we must understand what creation is and how creation works... the step that follows knowledge must be concern, and in that concern, identity... knowledge and concern lead to sacrifice... finally, we must work to redeem creation, because that is God's ultimate goal for it. "

"Redeeming Creation; the biblical basis for environmental stewardship" by, fred vandyke, and others.

"the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. for the creation was subjected to frustration , not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. we know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22

so we are challenged today to remember our role as care-takers in God's great land...what will we do with that?