The Burr in the Burgh

In this week's issue of WORLD magazine, Gene Edward Veith has a characteristically clear-headed column, this one on how Christianity relates to the environmental movement.

Many conservative Christians avoid environmental discussions, mainly because it seems that the movement is controlled by extremists and weirdos. At times, it is hard to distinguish between Greens and neo-pagans, Wiccans, and Gaia worshippers.

Some in the environmental movement nowadays are even calling the human race a plague or virus on the earth and call for mass extermination.

In spite of the far-left hegemony of the movement, traditionalist Christians shouldn't allow their pendulum to swing too far the other direction. Just because some liberal mainline Protestants are indulging in New Agey eco-spirituality, doesn't mean that we should comfortably ignore legitimate ecological concerns.

Indeed the human race is the pinnacle of creation and of infinitely greater value than spotted owls or harp seals. And indeed God did grant mankind dominion over the earth. But this does not give us permission to be lousy stewards of what God provides through the natural world. It is a sin to waste what God, in His generous goodness, has given us to use. And it is a sin for us to carelessly destroy anything which God has made.

We don't have to worship dirt or hug trees in order to be careful managers or stewards of the earth's resources. Avoiding both extremes, Christian piety knows how to enjoy God's creation, assert the unique dignity of man in the natural realm, while wisely using all things in service to neighbor. As Veith conclude his article, "to conserve is a fitting goal for conservatives."

Read his commentary here.

A new movie is on the way about Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. It's to be called Nativity and will be released this coming December.

To the left is the young New Zealender girl, Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was nominated for an Oscar for Whale Rider. She is playing Mary.

The initial reports are that the movie will be a respectful telling of the story of Mary in Nazareth, her betrothal to Joseph, the visit of the angel Gabriel, Mary's visit to Elizabeth, the Roman census and the journey to Bethelem, the birth of Christ, the visit of the wise men, and the flight to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. It appears that the script is faithful to the Gospel narratives and fills in certain narrative blanks with pious tradition.

I am anxious to read more. This could be a wonderful film for the Christmas season or another hotbed of religious controversy. The information available suggests it'll be more the former than the latter.

Check out more here.

UPDATE: I've seen the film and comment on it here.