A Christian group in Tasmania (that big island at the bottom of Australia) have made the news for ‘throwing their weight’ behind renewable energy. You can find the news story here. Basically, this Christian group has bought a large chunk of land (including an old virtually uninhabited town), and there’s a chance that someone might give them a lot of money to put a battery farm on it. I found it a fascinating story. I am especially interested in the statements some of these Christians have made. One lady who lives in the town says this . . .
“I read the Bible every day and there’s a book in it called the Book of Revelations, which in my own lived experience, is reflected in what I’m seeing unfolding in the world.”
This lady suggests the world is in a bad place, and that getting behind renewable energy is a good way to care for the planet. I have found that most Christians who read “Revelations” today have this rather negative view of the world and its future. They read the last book of the Bible as if it were a history book to show us the future – a bit like Nostradamus, filled with all sorts of strange images and global woe. It’s hard to see how, based on this lady’s reading of Revelation, renewable energy ameliorates any of the global terrors they see in that book.
A thoughtful reader might wonder if the Christian group’s main motivation in their sudden interest in renewable energy is actually money. This is especially the case, given the following statement in the story:
“If they use our resources, that just helps put money through our community … that’d be nice.”
Yes. That would be nice.
Since this news story is originally from the ABC – Australian Broadcasting Corporation – one would be justified in thinking the writer has presented to the reader a narrative they can find own their own. This story screams “some weirdo Christians suddenly like renewable energy, motivated by money.” The ABC (which I call “Anything But Christianity”) isn’t known for their impartial treatment of the church or the Christian worldview in general.
There was one little statement I found particularly interesting. After all this talk about the Bible and Christianity, the “Book of Revelations” lady says this,
“Every individual has the ability to look within and find their own integrity, their kernel of truth, and to live their lives in accordance with that.”
Wow. That’s an unfortunate concession to our society’s postmodern mindset where everyone has their own “truth”, and our task is to simply find it by looking within. That’s not what Jesus said. Or the Apostles. Or Moses. Or David. Or the early church fathers. Or the Reformers.
Jesus (the incarnate Son of God) said he is truth itself. He is truth personified. And his teachings, death and resurrection are objectively true and directly relevant to all people. He said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6; NIV)
I mean no disrespect to these well-meaning Christians. In fact, I wish them all the best. But this news piece reminded me that we’re not called to “look within”, but to look to Jesus Christ. In him is found real hope for this hurting world. Enormous batteries are great. Money is important. Jesus is better than both, whether people think that’s true or not.
spes clara 