The Environmental Movement and the New Age Movement have primarily non-Christian origins. They frequently call for beliefs and behaviors regarding the earth that are contrary to the Word of God. As a result, many followers of Christ tend to think that care for the earth is a pagan concept tied chiefly to earth worship.

Care for God’s creation was a major concern of the church long before these popular movements. As early as the fifth century after Christ, the church was observing “rogation days” in the spring of the year to ask God’s blessing on the crops being planting and thanking Him for His provision. This practice was common in North America well into the 19th century.

Concern about the negative impact of commercialism and materialism on God’s creation has been expressed through much of the 20th century. In his essay “The Idea Of A Christian Society” (1939), T. S. Eliot wrote, “A wrong attitude toward nature implies, somewhere, a wrong attitude toward God” (p.62).

“A wrong attitude toward nature implies, somewhere, a wrong attitude toward God.” —T. S. Eliot

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May our endeavor to celebrate the wonder of creation stimulate in us the right attitude toward God and toward His handiwork upon which we depend.