Creation

We’ve Only Got A Short Lease Tenancy Those who spend their time arguing over the literal accuracy of Genesis, you know, whether God created the world in seven days or seven periods of time miss the point. The Hebrew scriptures relating to the creation stories are making one fantastic important point. The world we live in was created by the one and only God and he has created us as human beings to live in relationship with him and his creation. As Christians we need to take seriously the teaching in the Bible that reminds us, in the words of an old 1960s rock star, Larry Norman, “We are only visiting this planet”. In other words we have a short lease tenancy on this planet. We are here only for a short time. This means that we have a responsibility to make sure the world and the ecological system has not been so polluted by our generation that our children and grandchildren are left to live in a world that has become unsustainable. During the next month the prayers at Sanctuary First are going to be engaging with the great ecological issues of our generation. We are going to be asking questions about sustainability, and also highlighting the challenges that technology and science add to the whole mix of ethical living. Week 1 During week one we are going to be thinking about the notion of Sabbath for Creation. This is an idea that is central to the way the creation works. Taking time to rest and reflect and renew creation and ourselves is a key theme in the Bible Week 2 Conservation of Creation - we are to be both master and servant of creation The writers of Genesis see that role of human beings as being central in caring for and sustaining the life here on planet earth. Week 3 Responsibility for Creation - to the next generation There is a lovely phrase in one of the older translations of the Bible where human beings are required to “be fruitful and replenish the earth” We have a duty to conserve and maintain what we have been given. Jonathan Sacks in his book entitled ” The Dignity of Difference ” uses the Carob Tree illustration to challenge us all to serve others knowing we might never receive a benefit. Week 4 Restraint of Civilisation on Creation During this week our thoughts will engage questions, about science and technology, and how it can be used to improve or degrade nature. Week 5 Stewardship of Creation - In the last week of this theme the concept of Stewardship will help us to summarise our attitude as Christians to the world of creation . In Leviticus 25:23 we are reminded “the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.”.