Bugs and Weeds (and Guns and Aquinas). Not Necessarily in that Order.

This is my second blog on environmental concerns in as many months.  And both for Eden Seminary.  The first one focused (or attempted to focus) on the creation doctrine of Thomas Aquinas and its use as ally or adversary in the growing need for action to address climate change particularly in impoverished countries, which experience the side effects of climate change more acutely.  I used the country of Bangladesh as my case in point.  I link it, above, because I was able to find some really interesting articles that help to back the position of environmental action.  As well as a great song by John Denver ; )

This article was on NPR on Dec. 29th and was very encouraging.  It talks about the military testing green technology in Afghanistan.  Caring for the planet was among their lowest priorities for doing what they're doing but, if the technology works, it would be a great proving ground for the rest of society.  I don't think green technology is the only answer - I think we need to dial our lifestyles and expectations way back - but it is certainly part of the solution.  And to have the conversation is a start.

I'm enjoying The Creation by E. O. Wilson.  Its especially fascinating to think about the diversity of the insect world and the importance behind that.  I loved his 'disaster prognosis' theorizing what would happen if all insect life were to be extinct (34-35) - that ended with humanity barely surviving and longing for 'bugs and weeds' - the derogatory phrased the Wilson assigns to many who disparage the environmental movement, saying we care more about 'bugs and weeds' than human beings.  His allegory makes the point beautifully that human beings cannot exist without what we would like to deem as disposable elements of creation.

I've been thinking a lot also about Hosea again - and of that book's condemnation of human's readiness to objectify each other, creation and even God.  I think the intertwined nature of all those things will be important to address as we think about lesson plans, sermons, and daily life the church.  It isn't an either or proposition. Its all or nothing.