Creation and Thanksgiving

The recent GOP debates and the coming of Thanksgiving have given me pause to ponder, once again, the differences between what Lutherans profess in regard to creation and our place in creation, and what some of the more fundamentalist brethren espouse. The comments of Governor Perry, Congresswoman Bachmann, and Herman Cain, in particular, diverge markedly from what many Christians believe. I don't think it is possible for me to explain their theology, but the moment provides an opportunity to discuss science, creation, and our faith perspective.

There seems to be a strain of fundamentalist theology that has created a parallel world in which Biblical literalism and anti intellectualism have combined; a world in which scientific discovery is at odds with a forced literal interpretation of the creation story as it is told in Genesis.
Lutherans on the other hand have a creation centered theology that is oriented to celebrate the gifts of creation. We affirm God as creator of all things while affirming science as one of the means God has given us in order to understand and be at home in the universe. Our theology of the cross invites us to be in solidarity with a creation "that groans in travail." We also have a deeply incarnational theology that cherishes the presence of God in all reality. And when Lutherans speak of redemption, it is not only personal, it extends to the restoration of all creation. Ultimately, for Lutherans, redemption is "new creation." We are a people that sees the future always moving toward the fulfilment of creation. In the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation, John writes of a "new heaven" and "a new earth". John is pretty clear; when Jesus comes again, the earth will be redeemed, not destroyed. Since this is God's intention, we believe that we have an ethical responsibility to care for creation.
We also understand that the church exists for the sake of the world. Through the ages this has meant many things. Today, in a time of clear ecological crisis "existing for the sake of the world" means doing all that we can as stewards to protect God's good creation from further degradation. Each of us is called to live out our vocation in such a way that we serve and preserve the earth. It is no longer a question of whether or not we can afford something, but a question of whether or no it is the best use of limited resources. Within the last 200 years, mankind has moved from using less than the renewable and sustainable amount of the earth's resources to using two and a half times what the earth can sustain. We are simply overwhelming the earth's ability to recover from our overuse of resources. We believe that each of us has a role to play in restoring the balance.
As Thanksgiving approaches an interesting ethical dilemma arises. How does one thank God for the giftedness of our lives, and for the goodness of creation while at the same time continuing to allow and participate in the ongoing destruction of the very creation from which God satisfies our needs? It is not a question easily answered, and turning things around is going to be a long and difficult struggle. However, Lutherans do not have an escapist theology. We don't believe that we are going to be raptured away from the earth when things get bad. (I hope you all know that the rapture as it is proposed by some is simply not Biblical.) Rather, we believe that Christ is present with us in the struggle, and as we engage ourselves in the healing process the Holy Spirit will bless our efforts.
The point is, that Thanksgiving may be a good time to assess what you are doing (or not) in terms of earth care and discerning some small steps that you can take to express your solidarity with God's creation.
I am not so naive as to believe that our small steps will solve all of the issues we face, but it will be the small steps and the changes that take place in our hearts and minds that will ultimately lead to greater things. Blessings to all as Thanksgiving approaches and may all the earth be blessed by your actions.
Happy Thanksgiving!