I am teaching a course, “Foundations of Holistic Ministry,” at Seminary. This week, we are going to talk a bit about ecological concerns and ministry. Therefore, I thought I would quote a bit of Peter Illyn (1958-2020).

I will state my bias. That a concern for the common good trumps the pursuit of personal freedom, especially for Christians who should be living by the golden rule – ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. When issues of personal liberty and/or social behaviors do lasting harm to the commons of life, then I believe Christians should choose the collective good. As such, I believe there is a role for good government in creating a just and sustainable society. Sadly, I believe that many fellow evangelicals have chosen a ethos that is short-sighted, self-centered and is flirting with being mean-spirited and hard-hearted. … To self- label, I would call myself a Bible-believing, Jesus-loving, pro-life, tree-hugging environmentalist who believes there is a role for grassroots civic engagement that encourages good government to protect the common good even at the expense of free markets and personal liberty. I am considering a new bumper sticker that captures these beliefs; “Worship the Baby, Tend the Garden, Resist the Empire”

-“Belly-Button Christianity: Tribal Christians Speak to Today’s Church: An Interaction with ‘Dark Green Religion,'” Sacred Tribes Journal, Vol. 6 #1 (2011); 49-50.