Why we need to respond to the climate crisis as God’s people this Lent
In this day and age where the climate crisis has become one of humanity’s most pressing issues, where does our faith play a part in? As Christians, are we called to respond to the climate crisis?
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1 NIV)
The call to care for creation first begins with recognising that God is the creator of this earth. Genesis 1 and 2 describe how God spoke this entire earth into motion – the plants, animals, the sun and the stars, and us, humans. The earth was created by Him and for Him. Both Colossians 1:16 and Revelation 4:11 state this:
• For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16 NIV)
• You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Revelation 4:11 NIV)
In addition, creation was made primarily to reflect the glory of God and to worship Him. The intricacies and magnificence of creation give testament to the creativity and ingenuity of God.
• “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV)
When we care for creation, we show that we acknowledge God as the creator of all and seek to protect His creation.
When God created humanity, He also created us in his image. We were made to reflect our Heavenly Father’s lordship, by being good and loving rulers over the earth. In Genesis 2:15, Adam and Eve were given the responsibility to work and take care of the Garden of Eden. Today, this responsibility of stewardship is one that many have lost sight of. Looking at the state of the earth today, what kind of dominion do we hold today? Is it one that reflects godly lordship, or a tyrannic one?
Many of us forget that this earth does not belong to us and that one day, God will hold us accountable for our care of the earth. We continue to use the earth’s resources irresponsibly, we distribute the earth’s resources unjustly, depriving the poor and vulnerable of the resources they need, and we fail to protect and ensure the wellbeing of our ecosystems and biodiversity.
At the core of it, our failure to be good stewards is a result of our sinful nature. We place our desires and needs before obeying God’s commands. Our sinful nature leads us to exploit the earth to meet our selfish needs, driven by our greed, without considering the needs of others and non-human creation.
We see the impact of our actions on the state of the earth today. Many of the world’s poor and vulnerable, ecosystems, flora and fauna are being devastated by environmental destruction. We see pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, water stress, and extreme weather events becoming more frequent.
What can we do next, knowing that we have this urgent calling to live out creation care?
Climate change and the myriad of environmental issues remind us of the brokenness of this world. Love for God, our neighbours, and the wider creation and passion for upholding justice compel us to live out our urgent ecological responsibility. The call to creation care is not just for those who care for the environment. It is for all of us who say we love God.
Acknowledging that our world is broken and that it is so because of our failure to be good stewards can leave us feeling overwhelmed with despair. What can we do next, knowing that we have this urgent calling to live out creation care?
In light of the season of Lent, there are things that churches can consider doing for creation care. This period of sober preparation can be a time to incorporate creation care practices as we reflect on what Christ has done on the cross. Here are some things churches can do:
1. Sermons on creation care
a. For most, creation care may be a topic they are unaware of and unfamiliar with. Preaching sermons on creation care is a first step in providing the congregation with a biblical understanding of creation care and the urgent need to live it out today.
2. Repentance and Prayer
a. In keeping with the season of Lent, lead the congregation in a time of repentance for disobedience and failure to be good stewards, for using the earth’s resources irresponsibly, unjustly and selfishly.
b. Lead the congregation into a time of prayer for those who are currently suffering as a result of climate change and environmental issues – those who are forced to leave their homes, those whose livelihoods have been affected by the changing climate, those who have to bear with more extreme temperatures.
3. Fasting
a. Are there things that the congregation could be encouraged to abstain from or give up that are in line with creation care? Some suggestions could be meat – which has a higher carbon footprint than plant-based options, or abstaining from making unnecessary purchases and choosing to live simply.
4. Giving to others
a. Think about how churches can encourage giving towards creation care during this season. It could come in the form of financial contributions to organisations who are doing work on creation care (e.g. Creation Care SG, A Rocha, World Vision), or in the form of time: to volunteer in beach clean-ups and other activities in which they can participate in care work for our shared home.
The state that our earth is in today reminds us that we all need Jesus – for the restoration of our souls and the restoration of our common home. Despite the climate crisis, we Christians know that we have hope. We can continue to hold on to the hope that one day, Jesus will return and restore all things. Acts 3:21 reminds us of this:
- Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:21 NIV)
Till then, we continue to live out creation care – as an act of obedience to God and of love for Him, His people and His creation. In doing so, we point to Christ by showing the world His redemptive plan for the cosmos, and His restorative power lived out in us for all creation.
Liaw Ann Shin
Director of Outreach & Engagement and
Board Secretary at Our Father’s World (prev. Creation Care SG)