By Kenneth Jensen

Kenneth Jensen is a retired ELCA pastor living in Albert Lea.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of it.” — Genesis 2:15 (NIV)

In Matthew, chapter 24, Jesus puts forth signs that mark the end of the age. Among them will be widespread famine, wars and rumors of war. These signs have been present in every generation. However, since the mid-20th century, something has been taking place of which many are unaware.

On Aug. 8, we began using more of the earth’s resources than our planet is able to replenish. In 1970 it was Dec. 23. By 2000 it had moved up to Oct. 4. In 2010 it was Aug. 28.

In Genesis 1:28, God blessed Adam and Eve and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” But does “filling the earth” grant us permission to over populate it? Will “subduing the earth” allow us to exploit planet Earth for our benefit without concern for future generations?

In spite of plant genetics to improve food production and fracking to recover additional sources of petroleum, the world’s resources are finite. Climate change and dwindling sources of freshwater add to the dilemma. One can only imagine what the future holds as nations compete for dwindling resources in the struggle to survive.

Many Christians dismiss the threatening clouds on the horizon. They/we believe Christ will return in the very near future to rescue his own as the world self-destructs. Andrew Prior in “Ready for What?” maintains such thinking is easily corrupted. Justice and compassion are left in the hands of a “magic God” while we become passive and uninvolved.

Nothing has changed since the Lord put Adam in the Garden and instructed him to work and take care of it. We know not when our Lord will return nor the manner in which he will suddenly appear in spite of human efforts to so predict. Thus, we Christians cannot sit idly by waiting for Gabriel to blow his horn.

Issues such as family planning, recycling, clean energy, zoning ordinances, all of which were once labeled “secular issues” are now central to the Christian understanding of “stewardship.” This planet does not belong to us. It is a gift given to us by God to use, but not abuse.