In the past years, the entire world has begun to talk environment and “ecology”, a word created in 1869 by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel. Currently, the topic is on magazine covers, in TV news programs, the theme of artistic events, books, films, documentaries…
However, interest in the topic not only has to do with a new level of awareness. The question is that the planet has begun to present innumerous problems as a response to the aggression it has been receiving. If some individuals thought that that media was using sensationalism, phenomenon like globlal warming leaves no doubt that something serious is happening.
Without appealing to the chaos discourse, we should pay attention to the warning signals that indicate everything is not well. Among these signs are the greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain, glacial melting, the water crisis, the revolt of nature, the destruction of biodiversity, unbalanced consumption, air pollution and the increase of desertification.
In the face of the situation, what have you done? An advance has been made in terms of documents and global action, since global problems require global solutions. Nations and companies are becoming more environmentally responsible. However, each individual can offer his/her contribution. The fact that you cannot do everything does not mean that you should not do anything.
As good citizens, we should preserve the planet for future generations. And as Christians, we are called to promote the principle of cosmos and not chaos, offer protection and not destruction, care for and not harm. After all, the individual who destroys creation is going against divine action. Therefore, as John says in Revelation 11:18, the time is coming for God to destroy “those who destroy the earth”. If you want to continue living on the planet in the future, you have to learn to preserve it now.
The good news is that, in addition to our “green” initiatives, we can count on essential help. In a recently published book, American environmentalists Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger suggest that the salvation of the planet is in technology. In part, they are correct. However the greatest hope comes from another source.
The Bible presents the dream of a new world with pure air, life-giving and inexhaustive water, exuberant nature, a perfect environment. The Earth will be recreated. Nevertheless, the One who is going to do this is God, and not the human being. God is the true hope for the crisis the planet faces.
In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we see the concept of a garden prepared to offer na exceptional quality of life. The entire environment conspired toward well-being. With their sensorial capacities, Adam and Eve were to enjoy the delights of paradise and live forever. Things went wrong, as we know. However in Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we once again see the promise of a perfect environment with free access to the source of life.
There are many ways to read Revelation. One of them is through the vision of ecology. In the book, two systems are presented through the symbolism of two cities: Babylon (Rome) and the New Jerusalem. One city is an exploiter, oppressive and unjust; the other is a pacifier, liberator and just.
In Revelation 21 and 22, the New Jerusalem is portrayed as a glorious capital, where the categories originated by sin shall never more enter. There is neither human exploitation nor damage to the ecosystem. The urban landscape, enriched by a splendid architecture, is embellished by exuberant nature, including the tree and the river of live. The essential things for life are offered freely. The eternal city promotes reconciliation, justice and cure.
This incredible world is for you, and you are a part of God’s dream.
Marcos De Benedicto
