New(er) Themed Bible

Chuck on January 26th, 2009

picture-2I guess The Green Bible has recently become a very popular theme bible.  It’s amazing how many different versions of the Bible we have (whoa!).  This particular version includes the words of Christ in red, but also puts verses that deal with “creation care” in green letter’s – highlighting these specific areas.  It also has over 100 pages of articles and essays written about this topic from some popular authors and well-known people.

I recently moved from Southern California up here to Portland, OR.  I don’t know of a “greener” place on earth – which isn’t necessarily all bad.  Being here I have been exposed to some interesting perspectives when it comes to creation care – some are thought provoking while, quite honestly, some are pretty far fetched.  Regardless, this is a hot topic – politically or religiously.

Because many college-age people are thinking about the world around them (politics, religion, etc.) looking at what Scripture says about “creation care” could be an interesting study in your ministry. 

To be blunt in regards to this topic I think some of this is much more culturally driven than biblically driven.  I do believe God cares about creation (obviously) and I do believe we have a certain amount of responsibility to care for it.  Regardless, hot topics like this can be great ways of talking theology with college-age people.  Here are 3 questions you can ask your small group to try to get them talking/thinking about this…

  1. Do you think we have responsibility in taking care of the earth?  Why or why not? (make sure you have them explain their thoughts/answers!) – and then ask them if they know any Scripture that backs that thought or general principle.
  2. Does what we do – or not do – really affect the ultimate outcome of the earth?  How, or why not?
  3. How might something as simple as recycling be an expression of the Christian faith?

Related posts:

  1. EARTH
  2. Great Reminder
  3. Interesting Article
  4. Cultural or Biblical?
  5. Liberal Professors Dominate

Share Discuss (3)

Jim Gray at 8:30am January 27

I moved up the sw WA state in 2006 from SoCal and there is a huge movement locally to “go green.” It’s a good idea to conserve and care for the environment. I agree that it’s culturally driven. I imagine that college and high school students will have heard this in classes and on campus more now than ever. The “tree-hugger” movement has been prevalent in CA for years. With groups like Earth First and their somewhat militant movement in northern CA.
Good article!

Is the Church Going Green? | Beacon Hill NW at 9:02am January 27

[...] morning I was reading a post from College Ministry Thoughts by my friend Chuck Bomar.  He was reviewing “The Green Bible“  which he [...]

Liz at 4:35pm January 27

While I strongly agree that the “green” movement is culturally driven, that does not automatically less “Biblically driven.” If anything, we as humans have to make up for the many years where we gave a crap about the environment. All this being said, I am a self-proclaimed tree hugger. :-) Thanks for sharing.