The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
March 22, 2009
In
This Issue:
They
"Worshiped and Served the Creature"
by
Steve Klein
They "Worshiped and Served the Creature"
The quotation in the title of this article is part of a passage in Romans chapter one in which the apostle Paul is describing the ancient problem of idolatry. Here's the text in its context:
"Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (Romans 1:21-25).
Is the culture of 21st century America not much the same as what Paul described? Nature and the environment have been elevated to god-like status. While we don't erect images of animals and bow down before them, our culture does worship the environment. Environmentalism and animal rights news stories are fed to the public continually. We are imposed on by pseudo-scientists with manipulated data to change our daily living habits in order to save the planet and the polar bear. And because we have elevated animals above ourselves, our moral standards have declined to a state that is lower than that of the animals. Just as Paul described long ago, God has given many up "to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves."
The Place of Nature in the Heart of the Christian
The glory of nature speaks to us of the
greatness of God. Christians are to appreciate it, be good
stewards of it, and glorify God because of it. Consider these Scriptures:
-
Revelation 4:11 -- "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
-
Psalms 8:3-8 - "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas."
Plainly the creation is designed to move us to worship and praise the Creator. He has placed man over it - allowed us to "have dominion." Obviously we should be good stewards of that which has been entrusted to us by God. But we cannot worship it. And we must not allow ourselves to be pressured into doing so.
The Pressure to Conform
Elements in our society would have all of us
become worshipers of the environment. The pressures to conform
to this mindset may be greatest on our children in the public school
setting, but such pressures are certainly everywhere in society.
You may think that conformity in this case may not be all that bad.
But consider the following, which is part of a piece that John M.
Ostrowski wrote clarifying this issue:
What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, and so make sure of safety?" ~ from The Martyrdom of Polycarp
A Roman imperial official posed the above question to Polycarp in 155 A.D. All Polycarp had to do was swear on the emperor's Genius - his personal guardian spirit in Roman mythology - perform some sacrifices for Caesar, participate in the necessary social events, and thus have his life spared. But Polycarp did not do this and for that we remember him as one of the great Christian martyrs.
Roman religion was a deeply engrained part of Roman life - it was difficult for a Christian to stay completely true to their chosen faith without appearing at least a tad bit anti-social. Sometimes, when social isolation and the threat to stability in Roman cities grew too great, Christians were killed.
As with other social and moral issues, conformity to this world is not an option for the Christian. We are NOT to be "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). Let us guard our hearts and minds, and those of our children, that we might keep the environment and ourselves in the proper places while God Almighty retains His place as Lord over all.
-- Steve Klein
He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day
Wandering home from Bible class
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod
And blew out all its "filler."
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
Wisely placed so high
Was just another wonder
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zigzag course
And hailed him from his lawn,
Asked where he'd been that day
And what was going on.
"I've been to Bible school,"
He said, and turned a bit of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
"I've learned a lot about God."
"M'm, very fine way," the neighbor said,
"For a boy to spend his time.
If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."
Quick as a flash his answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't!"
Author Unknown, Via Taking A Stand With Christ, Vol. 45, No. 3,
Van Dorn St church of Christ, Grenada, MS