Environmentalism as evangelism

There are at least three key elements to effective evangelism: accurate proclamation of the Gospel, a connection between that Gospel and people’s deepest needs, and the elimination of any unnecessary obstacles that might impede them embracing it.

With this in mind, we must sadly admit that Christians have badly bungled items two and three with respect to people who have a deep concern for the environment. This means that such people have never seen the possibility of having their passions fulfilled in Christianity, and we have basically told them they must forsake such concerns to even join the community of Christ. As a result, they have been driven into various forms of false religion instead.

If we are ever to remedy this, we must realize that God has given some people a special love of His creation and then show them how their deep love of nature comes most fully true in Him. In other words, admitting our own error in excluding them as we embrace a Biblically healthy form of environmental concern isn’t just good theology. It’s good evangelism.