The father of Earth Day was Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.  He was deeply concerned over the Cuyahoga River in Ohio catching fire (June, 1969) and the Santa Barbara, California oil spill (January. 1969).  Nelson recruited Denis Hayes (commonly dubbed “Mr. Earth Day”) to organize “teach-ins” on college campuses in order to raise awareness of environmental issues.  The first Earth Day occurred on April 22, 1970 (coincidentally, this was the 100th birthday of Vladimir Lenin.  Earth Day supporters deny any connection).  “Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans – at the time 10% of the total population of the United States – to take to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which lad left a growing legacy  of serious human health impacts…” (Our History, earthday.org).  “In 1990, Hayes organized a global Earth Day, with more than 200 million participants in more than 140 countries” (Earth Day, education.nationalgeographic.org).

What should Christians think of Earth Day?  Here are a few thoughts: (1) There is nothing wrong with wanting to protect the environment.  We should be good stewards of what God has given to us (Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 20:19-20; Proverbs 12:10; John 6:19-20). 

(2) We should not worship the Earth and creation (Romans 1:25).  In pantheism, there is no distinction between the Creator and the creation.  In panentheism, there is a distinction but not a sharp one.  In Judaism and Christianity there is a sharp distinction (Genesis 1:1; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Psalm 100:3; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:1-2; Acts 17:24-25, 30-31; Romans 1:25, etc.).  God, not creation, should be worshiped.

(3) We should remember that while it is a good thing to care for this earth, this earth will not last.  We look for “a new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:10-13).  This earth is not our ultimate home.

(4) There are things which are even more important than protection of the planet.  (a) Man is here to seek the Lord and find Him (Acts 17:26-27).  If a man does not do this, no matter what else that he accomplishes, he has missed the point of life.  (b) We should live for eternity (2 Peter 1:5-11; Mark 8:36-37).  (c) We should seek to save others (Romans 1:14-16; Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 2:9-10).  (d) We should seek to bring glory on Earth to God (1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31).  Let us not neglect these things.