This three-part post was originally published in Preaching Magazine
D.A. Carson in his essay on "Challenges for the Twenty-First Century Pulpit" discusses what Paul meant when he says in Acts 20:27, that he did not shrink from preaching "the whole purpose of God" (NASB). Carson writes,
"[Paul] taught the burden of the whole of God's revelation, the balance of things, leaving nothing out that was of primary importance, never ducking the hard bits, helping believers to grasp the whole counsel of God that they themselves would become better equipped to read their Bibles intelligently, comprehensively."
Carson reminds us of an important truth: faithful ministers of the gospel preach the whole Bible, answering culture's difficult questions with the comprehensive truth of God's Word. If Scripture addresses a particular issue, a preacher cannot afford to ignore God's voice even if preaching it makes him uncomfortable. Indeed, one of the challenges for the 21st century pulpit is to apply the salve of God's truth to the wounds of contemporary problems.
Pastors must not grow weak-kneed at the thought of wandering into the stewardship discussion because the Scripture clearly speaks about our responsibility and the culture is practically begging us to join the conversation. Churches that claim to preach "the whole counsel of God" should not sheepishly avoid or brush over those passages that reveal God's intentions for planet Earth.
Often, I get e-mails from pastors telling me that they want to begin addressing these issues from their pulpit because the Bible instructs us on them, but they also want to remain gospel-centered. This caution must be heeded. "Christianity is a comprehensive truth claim that encompasses every aspect of revealed doctrine, but is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ," writes Albert Mohler. "As the apostolic preaching makes clear, the gospel is the priority."
The gospel, not the green movement, must remain our first concern.
Fortunately, creation care complements the gospel, rather than competes with it. For many, it is a starting point for sharing the gospel. For others -- especially in Western countries such as ours where there is a growing sensitivity to environmental problems -- it strengthens the credibility of our witness.
Most of all, caring for creation is one way that we live out the gospel. The apostle Paul writes that God sent Christ "to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Col. 1:19-20). Jesus died and was raised to reconcile everything unto Himself. When we partner with God on mission, we become a conduit for God's grace to reconcile souls to God, revive damaged relationships and repair this broken world.
The gospel is not green, but it does compel us to live radically sacrificial lives. In the Great Commission, Jesus did not only instruct us to "make disciples of all nations." He also asked us to begin "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We need to begin faithfully declaring the whole counsel of God, including the creation care mandates throughout Scripture. Proclaiming the gospel must remain our goal, but creation care must become part of our game plan.
Good Resources for Green Sermons
• Scripture, Culture and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible by Ellen Davis (Cambridge University Press, 2008)
• The Open Secret: A New Vision for Natural Theology by Alister McGrath (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008)
• Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet by Jonathan Merritt (FaithWords, 2010)
• Pollution and the Death of Man by Francis Schaeffer and Udo Middleman (Crossway Books, 1992)
• Issues Facing Christians Today by John Stott (Zondervan, 2006)
• The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative by Christopher J.H. Wright (Intervarsity Press, 2006)
• Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright (HarperOne, 2008)
Order a copy of my new book, Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan to Our Planet
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