The Image of the Creator : Steve Jobs

One of glimpses that that you get of our  God, is the footprint he leaves with his creation. The environment is for all to see. You often read in Christian literature of artists or sculptors who's style or impression on a piece of work can easily be spotted and identified. This is reflective of God and his creation.
The passing of Steve Jobs has made me ponder this. In many ways his creation; the apple brand, can be easily spotted. There are not many brands which can be identified in such a global way. His footprint will remain for a long time, with products that have simplicity,  looks which are beautiful and most importantly function as they should.
There are not many people who have lived that have left this sort of legacy before...

Frank Viola Re-Imagining Church, Chapter 7, Church practice and God's eternal purpose

Its been a while since I picked up this book so the summary continues.

There was quite a bit to chew on this chapter. The main idea that God's 'purpose' or 'mission', precedes the fall and can be identified in the first two chapters in Genesis and Revelation chapters 21 and 22. This been downplayed in the Christian Church. With the emphasis instead been::

Evangelical Christians have built their theology mostly on Romans and Galatians. And many nonevangelical Christians have built it on the Gospels (particularly the Synoptics- Mathew, Mark and Luke). And for both groups, Ephesians and Colossians have been but footnotes.

I think this is a pretty good observation. It is worthwhile pondering what God was up to. I'm not even sure 'purpose' or 'mission' are the best words to use. I'm probably happier with the words 'delighted'. MMmm worth a bit more thought.

Viola also adds a list of ten points which he has identified as part of the purpose. I'm would probably put more of an emphasis of God and his total creation, not just man.

Personal Theology of Care of Creation

Cat spoke at Church on Sunday and gave out her 'Personal Theology of Care of Creation. It really struck me as somthing which I could really identify with.  

You can check it out on her blog here

Personal Theology of Care of Creation

I recognise and acknowledge God as the Creator. God has a constant and intimate involvement with the earth (Psalm 104).  God has concern for all creation and has made a lasting covenant with the whole earth (Gen. 9:9-17). God loves the world (John 3:16-17).

All living creatures have inherent value for they have been created by God.

My concern for the environment is founded on my relationship with God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of the earth and His mandate to humanity to care for creation (Gen 2:15; Psalm 24:1-2).

I believe that a biblical understanding of care of creation leads to an active involvement regarding environmental concerns.

Sin has damaged not only the relationship between humanity and non-human creation, but has injured creation itself (Romans 8:19-23).

The bible describes God’s plan of salvation to include the whole of creation, not humanity alone.  Christ will return to restore the whole of creation to God (Col 1:20).  Salvation includes the social, political, economic and ecological state of the earth. 

Through the Holy Spirit we are ambassadors of Christ’s redemption to all of creation.

Care of creation has its foundation in soteriology, which clearly proclaims Christs cosmic salvation work on the cross.

Considering the Scriptures, I believe that Christ’s universal work of redemption affirms that any care of creation activity has salvation consequences. 

I believe humanity is the imago Dei and therefore God’s ‘vice-regents’ on earth to care and nurture the earth as God does (Gen. 1:27).

I believe stewardship is the responsibility to care for the world wisely and conscientiously (Gen 1:26-30). Stewardship is a response to the biblical mandate to care for, cultivate and govern the earth on behalf of God.   

Humanity is not the pivotal focus of creation: God the Creator is.  All creation, including humanity, is called to worship the Creator (Psalm 148). 

The current environmental crisis suggests that Christianity has neglected their stewardship role, partly due to an anthropocentric reading of the Scriptures and understanding of salvation.  We have wrongfully assumed that creation exists for our own consumption rather than for God’s glory.

I believe Christians must repent of neglecting our biblical mandate to care for the earth.

I believe that Christian mission must declare and acknowledge God’s cosmic salvation purposes. 

We must care about environmental issues because we are called to love our neighbours and to protect and care for the poor and oppressed (Matt. 7:12, Matt. 22:34-40, Matt. 25:31-46).

I believe in proactively supporting fair-trade and environmental sustainable products and resources. 

I believe in using my ‘vote’ to influence governing bodies to address poverty and injustice, and to implement environmentally sustainable policies.

I believe that reconciliation is central to the call of the church and this must include the relationship of humanity with the non-human creation.

Care of creation must become central to Christian identity and experience, and ecclesial practise.

The current environmental crisis may require local church’s to change the manner and content of their salvation stories to include the biblical mandate to care for the earth.  Christians have a mission to the earth. 

The church must move away from consumerism and be an example of sustainability and environmental concern.

National Tree Planting day 2009

We went off on Sunday and planted trees in Olinda for National Tree Planting Day. The kids helped so we didn't get all that many planted, but we got a few!

One of the things that Christina and I want to do is participate with our community in the things that really matter for us. Hopefully our care for the environment will reflect God's heart to those around us.

The other thing is starting early with Jemima and Jo. Having an involvement with care for the earth we can teach them how God created the earth and we have a responsibility in looking after it.

So much more practical than sitting in a Church listening about it! (Well depends on the type of church you go to....)

Pluralism

I'm currently reading a book by Eugene Peterson 'Christ plays in 1000 places'. I have in the process noticed a shift in myself.

Peterson makes a number of references of how the bible is the place of objectivity in all things; this is not an exact quote. Whenever I hear this type of reference in the Bible there is something deep down which makes me cringe. I'm not sure what it is that makes me cringe but I do know that there has been deep shifts. The Bible is very important to me, it is something that I aspire to read most days. The meta themes through out the Bible are those which I try to see in life. Beauty, Love, Justice, Mercy, Redemption, Grace. The narratives, poetry and other genres make for everlasting reading.
Yet I find it hard to not look around at creation and other cultures and not see these meta themes mentioned. I'm totally convinced of the person of Jesus and what happened upon the cross. Yet when it comes to other cultures where his named is shunned, I still believe he has an influence. That the meta themes could and are played out; even though perhaps in ignorance. Still ultimately through the work of Jesus. (Romans 8:34 ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.)
So what about the book 'Christ Plays in 10000 places', and Petersons reference to the ultimate authority of the bible. Well I'm not sure, I know that I'm uneasy with that type of language these days...