I wrote an article recently called, ‘Christians and the Environment’? In this article, I will be following up on the topic of Christians and their relationship with God’s creation.

Over Easter, you may have seen on TV news channels, reports of an organisation called, ‘Extinction Rebellion’, blocking Parliament Square and other areas of London. Their action brought much of the capital to a standstill and caused a major headache for people trying to go about their business, including the police and the government. While some question the wisdom of this direct action, others support it. Extinction Rebellion was trying to make the point that our planet and those who live upon it, are in great danger from climate change.

Amongst Extinction Rebellion activists was a Christian environmental group called Christian Climate Action. The sole purpose of this groups existence is to highlight that Christians should be involved in the environmental movement as God commanded us, to take care of our planet.

Ruth Jarman, one of the leading figures in the group said: “We are basically declaring a climate emergency and we’re calling on the government to respond to the scientists”. Ms Jarman continued, “They (the government) are making the economy the number one thing…and it’s having policies that put economic growth above everything else. It’s like an idol, it’s putting mammon before God, I think because it’s putting the economy and growth before the ability to have a liveable planet”. Ms Jarman continued “Christians have been involved right from the start of Extinction Rebellion.

It’s not just a small number of Christians who support groups like Extinction Rebellion and Christian Climate Action. For example, Dr Rowan Williams, a previous Archbishop of Canterbury, recently wrote a letter to ‘The Guardian’ that he supported peaceful direct action by the above groups, for the sake of our planet, ourselves and the creatures that live alongside us.

The modus operandi of Christian Climate Action can be found on their website, stating the following: ‘Christian Climate Action is a community of Christians supporting each other in the face of imminent and catastrophic anthropogenic climate change, in acts of non-violent direction action. We are based in the UK.’

You will find the following verse from the Old Testament, Psalm 24: 1 – 6, also on their website:

“The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the foundation on the seas and built it in the ocean’s depths.

Who may stand in his holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God, their saviour.

Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, God of Jacob”.

Scripture clearly states, that there will be, at some point in the future, a new heaven and earth. Until then, as Christians, the Lord commands us to do what we can to protect this precious, blue planet.

God bless you xxx.