Pesharim

The title here used to be “Stupid Christians”, but I’m beginning to think that is something of a misnomer. Following is the unfortunate story of a really, really stupid Christian.

I have always liked Ray Comfort and his ministry, Living Waters. I’ve used his materials extensively in the past and grew to put a significant amount of trust in the truth of his teaching. I’ve evangelized with his tracts, watched his TV show, and perused his Evidence Bible, but I never in the least considered him a scientist, much less an evangelist turned ecologist voicing an opinion for the destruction of the world’s forests. Yet he writes as follows:

“…I spoke about actually cutting down rain forests and using the wood to build homes for the homeless…I have to confess that I do like trees. The bigger the better. I thank God for every one of them. Still, it doesn’t worry me when they are cut down because that’s why they were created. They were made by God for us (see Genesis 1:28-31). He made the whole of this incredible creation for our benefit; believe it or not….So they get antsy when Christians are a little flippant about creation. But we can’t help it. We don’t value creation as though our life depends on it. That’s because we know and trust Him who made all things, and if humanity wrecks this earth, we have His immutable promise that He is going to make all things new.”

He seems to think himself terribly clever for conjuring such a brilliant idea. Let’s level the forests, house the homeless, destroy the world! And what of it? After all, if there’s going to be a new heaven and a new earth, why not destroy the old one? No problem for us, right, we who are not of this world? I, however, contend that there is a problem. A big problem.

First of all I’m sure Mr. Comfort will agree that God appointed us stewards of the earth. But to what end, might I ask? Indeed, trees are resources, but somehow I don’t think Ray is seeing the whole story here. You see, we can’t very well live without trees. And while he says we should cut “down rain forests” and use “the wood to build homes for the homeless” cutting down these forests would inherently be a message of death for the same people they were destroyed to save, and for us all, their destroyers. Ecologically speaking, forests are a continuous habitat. Removing a large portion of this habitat as Ray Comfort flippantly suggests would render the rest significantly less effective. Forests are also renewable. Not so, when their only purpose is to be again cut down. A quick google search shows that over 100 million people are considered homeless worldwide. That’s a lot of houses. That’s a lot of wood.

Of course, Ray pretends to realize where he would lead mankind. “…if humanity wrecks this earth, we have His immutable promise that He is going to make all things new.” Now obviously we are saved into the knowledge that God will renew mankind. But let’s leave it up to God, why not. Let’s make the most of the time we have on earth to reach those who haven’t realized yet a hope beyond this universe, including the poor, and homeless. God made us stewards of the planet to preserve it, and not for its destruction. We don’t value creation as if our life depends on it.” Am I the only one who sees that as a bad thing? So with the precious time we have left on earth, can’t we concern our effort with matters of eternal significance, which I contest that this is not. Though, even were Mr. Comforts idea played out, it’s not as if it’s going to solve the problem anyways. Jesus said “The poor you will always have with you.” (Mark 14:7)

Finally I’m also curious about his logic. For the same reason then, should we extirpate entire animal species to feed the poor? Should we deface the natural wonders God has established as a testament to Himself for our own convenience? Ray’s teaching on this matter takes us nowhere “beneficial”, and I can say with certainty that I’ll be looking at his materials with a good deal more scrutiny after this.

You can read the rest of Ray’s post here.