Why Some and Not Others?

This is such a difficult topic. Why are some saved and not others? In fact, it is an impossible question. It is what theologians call the "Crux Theologorum" - the "theologians cross." Different demoninations have different answers, but none seem satisfactory. Rev. Paul McCain over at his blog, "Cyberbrethren" does an excellent job of breaking down the problem and giving our Lutheran response, which, as he points out, will still seem unsatisfactory. The impossible question stands. Click here to read his blog post.

Just Another Animal?

In recent years, the environment has taken a prominent position in our collective dialog. We are quickly discovering the impact our actions and our lifestyle truly have on the larger world around us. "Going green" is the new mantra as many pursue renewable sources of energy, new ways to use old products and materials to our benefit, and protecting animal and plant life from complete destruction - so that nature remains in its delicate balance and continues its symbiotic existence.
But we humans don't seem to quite fit in the world like the rest of nature. We don't seem to be a part of nature like we are just another animal. Unlike the animals we humans have the ability to control and manipulate the world around us in very complex ways. We gather seeds and plant them so our food sources multiply. We don't have natural protection against the weather as part of our body, so we make clothes. Instead of exclusively using natural features for shelter (caves or trees), we change and modify nature to create more effective shelters (wood, brick, and other materials for homes.) We modify nature to suit our needs and even our wants. So are we just another animal? Or do we have a different purpose here on earth?
The Bible tells us that we do have a different role to play in our environment. After he created all things, including the first man, God said:

"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food."

And later, God created a special place, a garden, for man to live in, he put man in the garden to work it and keep it.

So, from a Biblical worldview, we have a higher, two-fold purpose in our existence on this earth. We are to subdue it - use all of the resources it offers so that we can take care of ourselves. And at the same time, we are to take care of the earth - to work it and manage it so that it continues to exist. We are not just another animal. We need the earth for our continued existence. And the earth needs us to manage and take care of it.
However, those two need to remain in balance. If we don't subdue the earth, we won't have what we need (food, clothing, shelter). If we don't take care and manage the earth properly, it won't be a viable place for our children. In recent centuries, humanity has done an excellent job of subduing the earth. But sadly, this has often been done to the detriment of the larger environment.
Thus. those with a Biblical worldview would avoid the extremes - the extreme capitalist view ("The resources of the earth are all mine for the taking!"), or the extreme environmentalist view ("The needs of all plants and animals are superior to my own needs").

What do you think?

I've Moved!

I have moved my "church" blog offsite to Blogger. Posts will still feed to Hope's website. But all blog entries and other tidbits will begin here.
Blog creation on this end is still in progress...
Stay tuned