The Green Bible by Melvyn Brown

THE BIBLE FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS

By Melvyn Brown

There are signs the green environment has started to blur on the world scene. Snow-caps are melting, seas and oceans are rising, the Ozone hole is getting larger. Decades of proliferation to save the planet decades of loose sanctions and intrepid database have definitely resulted in global crises. What is the cure? Not moderation or over-stressing, but faith and belief.
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31. “And God said,” Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon earth.” Genesis 1:11.
Reading this we are truly blessed. God gave us the Garden of Eden, we read of Noah’s ark and the Olive branch. How about the Oak tree under which Abraham met with angels, or, about the tree standing by the Waterside (Psalms). The environmentalist today needs to take notes from the Bible of the mechanisms bound to the green evolution: From nature’s selection, growth, mutation and change.
Jesus is spoken of as the true vine. The Kingdom of Heaven as a mustard seed which grows into a tree “where birds can nest”. Christ dies on a cross of wood. Mary Magdalene mistakes the Lord for a gardener.
Never underestimate the hidden green wealth of wisdom in the Bible. There are many passages on the green earth ingrained to battle the stress and paranoia of those who feel the end is near. The environment will overcome pollution in the air and water if we believe that ‘God helps those who help themselves’. Our honest willingness to meet the conflict of global warming with trust in Him and a sincere desire to make a difference, will win the day. Let research and planning besiege the shores of spiritual strength to choose the right projects and implement practical systems to being change. Tougher environmental laws and regulations are the need of the hour. Mindsets must be blown away.
Let us keep the grass green, as it was for over a billion years. In the Gospel of Mark, 6:39: “Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. Have the faith and trust of King David. Marvel at his gratefulness to appreciate what he saw: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters…” Psalm of David 23:2.
Jeremiah, who the Lord appointed as prophet to the nations, said, “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jer. 17:8. The awaking call is that environmentalists can find wealth of green information and wisdom in the Bible. Reading the Good News before a board meeting, a rally, an event, the proposal of a scheme, will be to repackage the effort with God on one’s side.