I was thinking about our responsibility as human beings
being part of creation. I had a conversation recently where a person expressed
his opinion about climate change. He was sure that our actions as human beings
(and especially the oil industry) had been grossly over estimated. He expressed
that we human beings just didn't have the capacity to make changes to the
environment and, so we should not be blamed for climate change. This exchange
left me wondering about this line of reasoning, especially since the person
claimed to have some theological insight. And so, I have been thinking about a
response to climate change "deniers" but specifically those who claim
to be part of the Church.
First, from both First Nations and Christian heritage I
affirm that we are part of creation. This is a theological statement. The great
mystery has created all things and has made human beings the most dependent of
all the creatures. This is supposed to produce humility and understanding that
we are dependent upon creation. Thus, we cannot claim superiority over creation
or a right to do whatever we want since our very existence is premised upon our
having been created.
Second, creator has made us most dependent but also
responsible for this relationship through creation. There is no life apart from
created life, and in some way our being created in the image of God means that
we are responsible both to creation and to creator. Indigenous story also reminds
me that I must strive to take responsibility to live in harmony with all
things. Being in harmony with creator is expressed in my relationship with
creation. This responsibility should produce humility. For when the animals
give themselves to us, so that we can survive, how can we claim superiority?
Rather, it should produce humility, respect and responsibility within us.
The Genesis creation account states that we have been given
responsibility (dominion) to draw forth from the earth what is best. We cannot deny
this responsibility by a feigned humility that says our actions do not actually
impact creation. We cannot say that we can continue to cut, burn, and flood
without some sort of thought about longer repercussions. This does not mean
that we will not have to cut down trees, burn oil, or flood valleys to produce
power at times, but we must always carefully weigh and monitor the impact of
these measures to draw what is best from, and for all creation. As Bruce
Cockburn puts it, "this is the burden of the angel-beast."
The idea that our actions are too small to effect creation
are excuses to deny responsibility to creation and creator. The claim by some
climate change deniers that they are two weak or small to actually produce
change in the world is another way we deny our humanity and the responsibility
that this reality brings.
We should at least give thinks for our lives and the life
that the created world gives so we can live. We should think how our actions
will impact those who will come after us, at least 7 generations. We could try
and think through in a holistic way how what we are doing is drawing forth what
is best in creation.
"In the fall we pray for good hunting and in the spring,
we give thanks for good hunting."
