Toulmin Model
Earth: Our Gift From God
Brooklynn McMurray
Liberty University
Abstract
This paper presents a Toulmin model argument for the care and usage of the Earth and its natural resources as dictated by God in the Holy Bible (NIV). The Old Testament provides many guidelines for man to live fruitfully on Earth. Because it was made by God and given to us, we must follow the guidelines that he has set forth in the care and preservation of our planet.
Earth: Our Gift From God
Before God created man, he created the heavens and the Earth. Anyone who has read Genesis can plainly see that Earth was created by God as a place for man to dwell. However, God didn’t just give us shelter and leave us to our own devices. God made the Earth specifically …show more content…
so it could feed us and nurture us. Genesis 1:29 states, “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat’.” Clearly God meant for the Earth to sustain man. Because God created the Earth for us, we must take care of our environment.
When God created the Earth, he had all of our needs in mind.
We are mortal, and therefore need many things. Our rivers and springs provide the water we drink. Our fields and farms provide the food that we eat. Our forests produce oxygen for us to breathe. Man and all of the world’s animals survive and thrive because God designed the Earth to provide for our needs. Isaiah 43:20-21 states, “ The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” All of the ‘long lost’ rainforest cures or super foods are just what they have always been – gifts from God to man. Just as we have been given dominion over animals, we have dominion over the Earth. Having dominion over something doesn’t just mean control; it means that you have the responsibility to care for those things in your …show more content…
domain.
As Christians, our responsibility is clear. In order to effectively carry out Gods will as he has commanded us, we must care for and preserve our environment. First we must unanimously agree that God wants us to take care of and preserve the environment. Leviticus 25:23 clearly states that God views us as only ‘tenants’ of his lands. Just like a rental home, our landlord can evict us at any time. Many Christians are weak in their stance on this issue. However, when their property is threatened or damaged they are quick to act. People are willing to die protecting their homes and valuables from intruders and thieves. How then should we treat one of the most valuable possessions given to us by God?
Our next step is to become educated stewards. Many people do not understand how even the most ordinary of things effect the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family produces 100 pounds of trash each week (EPA 2012). That is the equivalent to 3 pounds per person per day! By learning about how the things we do affect the rest of the planet and the environment, we can become more aware of our choices. In Deuteronomy 20:19 God tells us not to cut down trees that we may ‘eat from’. He is imploring us to conserve our natural resources. As Christians and servants of the Lord, we must take the time to learn about our planet and how our choices affect God’s creation. In our modern society, it is very easy to see our impact on the environment. It is required material in most lesson plans for school children, and many new ‘green’ movements and trends are starting. However, these movements are nothing new. Native Americans and tribal peoples knew of the importance of living in harmony with nature. They knew that when you take care of your surroundings, they will take care of you.
Our final step is to lead by example. Taking small steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly or ‘green’ is usually very simple. Many of the ways to protect and conserve our resources do not require any extra effort or expenditure.
Ezekiel 34:17-18 states,” As for you, my flock... Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” One of the easiest ways to preserve our resources and protect the environment is to show our children and grandchildren what to do. Caring about your impact on your surroundings and doing what has to be done to lessen that impact will speak louder than any lecture could. Sharing your knowledge of God’s commandment to protect his gift can also have a tremendous effect. You could even use the environment as a witnessing tool for those who are ‘eco-friendly’. Sharing with them the love that God has for all living things and his creation may appeal to them and commiserate with their established beliefs.
There are some Christians that believe that we do not need to take such an active approach in the care and preservation of our environment.
Some of them refer to the book of Genesis where God charges man with the keeping of animals. They think that because we are higher on the ‘food chain’, we do not have to care for them. In countless verses God and Jesus remind us that we must care for animals because they are God’s creatures and part of his creation. All that God has made is special and dear to him. Also, many skeptics often refer to the book of Revelations, where the Apostle John talks about God creating a ‘new Earth’ and burning the old one. They believe that this Earth will be physically destroyed and that God will create us a new home. However, John later goes on to talk about what will happen to those who disobey God and fail to care for his creation.
Revelations 11:18,” The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great — and for destroying those who destroy the
earth.”
The fact that we must work to preserve our environment is clear. As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the direct word of God. Many verses clearly convey God’s feelings about the keeping and usage of the Earth and our natural resources. The Bible warns us that we must take care of the environment, or we may one day lose the privilege to be here. God has given us the wonderful gift of a planet that sustains us, and has charged us with the responsibility to take care of his gift.
Reference
Environmental Protection Agency (2012). Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm4 Outline I. Introduction A. Before God created man, he created the heavens and the Earth. B. Anyone who has read Genesis can plainly see that Earth was created by God as a place for man to dwell. C. Clearly God meant for the Earth to sustain man. D. Because God created the Earth for us, we must take care of our environment. II. Main Supporting Points A. When God created the Earth, he had all of our needs in mind. B. Isaiah 43:20-21, Leviticus 25:23, Deuteronomy 20:19, C. As Christians and servants of the Lord, we must take the time to learn about our planet and how our choices affect God’s creation. D. In order to effectively carry out Gods will as he has commanded us, we must care for and preserve our environment. III. Opposition A. Also, many skeptics often refer to the book of Revelations, where the Apostle John talks about God creating a ‘new Earth’ and burning the old one. B. However, John later goes on to talk about what will happen to those who disobey God and fail to care for his creation. C. Revelations 11:18 D. The fact that we must work to preserve our environment is clear.
IV. Conclusion A. As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the direct word of God. Many verses clearly convey God’s feelings about the keeping and usage of the Earth and our natural resources. B. The Bible warns us that we must take care of the environment, or we may one day lose the privilege to be here. C. God has given us the wonderful gift of a planet that sustains us, and has charged us with the responsibility to take care of his gift.
Brooklynn McMurray
Liberty University
Abstract
This paper presents a Toulmin model argument for the care and usage of the Earth and its natural resources as dictated by God in the Holy Bible (NIV). The Old Testament provides many guidelines for man to live fruitfully on Earth. Because it was made by God and given to us, we must follow the guidelines that he has set forth in the care and preservation of our planet.
Earth: Our Gift From God
Before God created man, he created the heavens and the Earth. Anyone who has read Genesis can plainly see that Earth was created by God as a place for man to dwell. However, God didn’t just give us shelter and leave us to our own devices. God made the Earth specifically …show more content…
so it could feed us and nurture us. Genesis 1:29 states, “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat’.” Clearly God meant for the Earth to sustain man. Because God created the Earth for us, we must take care of our environment.
When God created the Earth, he had all of our needs in mind.
We are mortal, and therefore need many things. Our rivers and springs provide the water we drink. Our fields and farms provide the food that we eat. Our forests produce oxygen for us to breathe. Man and all of the world’s animals survive and thrive because God designed the Earth to provide for our needs. Isaiah 43:20-21 states, “ The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” All of the ‘long lost’ rainforest cures or super foods are just what they have always been – gifts from God to man. Just as we have been given dominion over animals, we have dominion over the Earth. Having dominion over something doesn’t just mean control; it means that you have the responsibility to care for those things in your …show more content…
domain.
As Christians, our responsibility is clear. In order to effectively carry out Gods will as he has commanded us, we must care for and preserve our environment. First we must unanimously agree that God wants us to take care of and preserve the environment. Leviticus 25:23 clearly states that God views us as only ‘tenants’ of his lands. Just like a rental home, our landlord can evict us at any time. Many Christians are weak in their stance on this issue. However, when their property is threatened or damaged they are quick to act. People are willing to die protecting their homes and valuables from intruders and thieves. How then should we treat one of the most valuable possessions given to us by God?
Our next step is to become educated stewards. Many people do not understand how even the most ordinary of things effect the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family produces 100 pounds of trash each week (EPA 2012). That is the equivalent to 3 pounds per person per day! By learning about how the things we do affect the rest of the planet and the environment, we can become more aware of our choices. In Deuteronomy 20:19 God tells us not to cut down trees that we may ‘eat from’. He is imploring us to conserve our natural resources. As Christians and servants of the Lord, we must take the time to learn about our planet and how our choices affect God’s creation. In our modern society, it is very easy to see our impact on the environment. It is required material in most lesson plans for school children, and many new ‘green’ movements and trends are starting. However, these movements are nothing new. Native Americans and tribal peoples knew of the importance of living in harmony with nature. They knew that when you take care of your surroundings, they will take care of you.
Our final step is to lead by example. Taking small steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly or ‘green’ is usually very simple. Many of the ways to protect and conserve our resources do not require any extra effort or expenditure.
Ezekiel 34:17-18 states,” As for you, my flock... Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” One of the easiest ways to preserve our resources and protect the environment is to show our children and grandchildren what to do. Caring about your impact on your surroundings and doing what has to be done to lessen that impact will speak louder than any lecture could. Sharing your knowledge of God’s commandment to protect his gift can also have a tremendous effect. You could even use the environment as a witnessing tool for those who are ‘eco-friendly’. Sharing with them the love that God has for all living things and his creation may appeal to them and commiserate with their established beliefs.
There are some Christians that believe that we do not need to take such an active approach in the care and preservation of our environment.
Some of them refer to the book of Genesis where God charges man with the keeping of animals. They think that because we are higher on the ‘food chain’, we do not have to care for them. In countless verses God and Jesus remind us that we must care for animals because they are God’s creatures and part of his creation. All that God has made is special and dear to him. Also, many skeptics often refer to the book of Revelations, where the Apostle John talks about God creating a ‘new Earth’ and burning the old one. They believe that this Earth will be physically destroyed and that God will create us a new home. However, John later goes on to talk about what will happen to those who disobey God and fail to care for his creation.
Revelations 11:18,” The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great — and for destroying those who destroy the
earth.”
The fact that we must work to preserve our environment is clear. As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the direct word of God. Many verses clearly convey God’s feelings about the keeping and usage of the Earth and our natural resources. The Bible warns us that we must take care of the environment, or we may one day lose the privilege to be here. God has given us the wonderful gift of a planet that sustains us, and has charged us with the responsibility to take care of his gift.
Reference
Environmental Protection Agency (2012). Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm4 Outline I. Introduction A. Before God created man, he created the heavens and the Earth. B. Anyone who has read Genesis can plainly see that Earth was created by God as a place for man to dwell. C. Clearly God meant for the Earth to sustain man. D. Because God created the Earth for us, we must take care of our environment. II. Main Supporting Points A. When God created the Earth, he had all of our needs in mind. B. Isaiah 43:20-21, Leviticus 25:23, Deuteronomy 20:19, C. As Christians and servants of the Lord, we must take the time to learn about our planet and how our choices affect God’s creation. D. In order to effectively carry out Gods will as he has commanded us, we must care for and preserve our environment. III. Opposition A. Also, many skeptics often refer to the book of Revelations, where the Apostle John talks about God creating a ‘new Earth’ and burning the old one. B. However, John later goes on to talk about what will happen to those who disobey God and fail to care for his creation. C. Revelations 11:18 D. The fact that we must work to preserve our environment is clear.
IV. Conclusion A. As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the direct word of God. Many verses clearly convey God’s feelings about the keeping and usage of the Earth and our natural resources. B. The Bible warns us that we must take care of the environment, or we may one day lose the privilege to be here. C. God has given us the wonderful gift of a planet that sustains us, and has charged us with the responsibility to take care of his gift.