When I was younger I liked to hunt because it gave me the opportunity to be with my dad. I figured, "If I like what he likes, then he'll approve of me." It turned out that we don't have the same likes and interests. We are very different and the quest for his approval was a grind of disappointment. I didn't hunt for years. But, last Christmas I had the time to go with him and had a great time. I missed one buck even killed a doe (the first time in nearly 25 years).
Something awakened in me that had been dormant for nearly 3 decades: I actually like the hunting. Maybe I'm a latent outdoors-man? The truth is I love being in God's creation and admiring the works of His hands (Psalm 8). His creation is awe-inspiring and, by His grace, causes me to reflect on His goodness. As the Psalmist said, "What is man that you are mindful of him?" I can look at grand forests, lakes, mountains and animals and I always come back to this thought: of all this grandeur, only mankind is created in the image of God. We are very special in the eyes of God.
And, He gave us a command - rule over the earth. This leads me to think on the difference between Conservation and Environmentalism.
Conservation is stewardship: recognizing that this grand creation is a gift to us that is meant to be cared for so that our hands will glorify God. The command to subdue and rule over the earth (Genesis 1) is not a license to put our boot on creation and destroy it in the name of "the creation mandate."
Environmentalism is idolatry: loving the creation more than the creator. Environmentalism is cultish. Eviro's despise cutting trees, killing animals, paving new streets, disturbing the habitat of the animals, etc... They have a point, but that point has been grossly exaggerated: Destruction is wrong.
But Conservation is not destruction. By growing up in the country I had the privilege of seeing this first-hand. Timber companies are hired to cut forests. And, when they finish it's not as pretty as before they began. But, they replant so that there will be a new forest. In 1988 there was a great fire in Yellowstone. It destroyed a lot of acreage and the remnants of that fire are still visible. Today, the rules for protecting Yellowstone are very strict. They prohibit the use of burning the underbrush. This is part of the problem. By not cleaning out the dead leaves and trees the forest becomes a virtual tender-box for greater forest fires. If Yellowstone could have regular control burns the forests would be prettier, healthier and less likely to fall susceptible to great wild fires. Burning off the dead stuff will also give more room to new growth.
Conservation is really a great way to honor God with the gifts He has given. Mowing and fertilizing your yard is conservation, just as cutting and replanting trees is. Hunting (not slaughtering) is God-honoring. If the herds grow to numerous, there will be an increase in disease, the gene pool will deteriorate, and the animals will overrun the habitat. In addition, more animals has lead to a greater number of traffic accidents.
Even drilling for oil and gas is an example of good conservation. God gave us these resources to use, not worship. He has given us the ability to use these resources to benefit mankind. Ignoring these resources is essentially telling God that He made a mistake. Likewise, destroying the planet is an offense to the Creator. We must be balanced as we seek out and enjoy the resources that our gracious Father has given us.
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