The UCC Synod on Man and the Earth

on July 15, 2015

The United Church of Christ (UCC) Synod hosted two speakers to address environmental issues during the denominational gathering on June 30. The first was Winona LaDuke, founder and co-director of Honor Earth, and member of the Midewewin Society. The second was Rev. Matthew Laney, Senior member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church.

For the most part, LaDuke rehashed the standard environmentalist alarms, namely that increasing climate change has endangered our lives, that extreme extraction of resources via fracking is bad, and that we behave like addicts who rationalize destructive behaviors and use dealers like the energy companies that make our policies. Less expected was the fact that LaDuke called for a “graceful transition” out of a fossil fuel economy rather than a radical overnight upheaval.

While LaDuke’s presentation was nothing special, Laney provided more than enough material to raise the eyebrows of spectators.

Invoking the Genesis narrative, Laney observed that man was made from the earth and therefore whatever befalls the earth befalls man. He went so far as to say, “We can look at the rivers and say ‘I am the river. The river is me. What happens to the river happens to me.’” He commended Astronomer Carl Sagan’s observation that we are “star stuff,” but added that we are also the “consciousness of God.”

Laney then called for the need to balance our divinity (our status as children of God) with our earthliness. Too much emphasis on the former will lead to the arrogant idea that we are like “God himself or herself.” A radical shift in the opposite direction will allow ourselves to be treated like dirt and trampled on by others.

With this in mind, Laney uses Jesus’ observation that the exalted will be humbled and the humbled will be exalted as proof that Christ came to give us a proper balance, thus equalizing everything and preparing the way for the king of heaven and Earth.

Interspersed with his environmental commentary was the observation that Christ’s reclamation of the throne involves the overthrow of rival contenders, such as the principalities of racism, imperialism, militarism, white supremacy, the confederate flag, marriage inequality, etc.

LaDuke’s presence at the UCC Synod is an indication that the denomination is so far to the Left that they are utilizing non-Christians to provide them with advice on decisions.

Laney, however, is theologically misguided. He is correct to observe that man was made in God’s image and formed from the earth (Gen 2:7). His charge to remember that we are children of God is commendable. He could not be more right in his contention that Christ is the only man on the throne and attempts to dislodge Him always results in calamity. However, that is where his proper exegesis stops.

At no point does God say that an attack on the earth is an attack on man or vice versa. The earth has no connection to man beyond his origins. Furthermore, Laney’s invocation of Carl Sagan’s “star stuff” mantra is problematic, even with his added nuance of man’s divine origins. Man was not made from the stars, but from the breath of God and the dust of the earth (Gen 2:7).  Put simply, man is not equal to the earth or the universe, in the eyes of God he is superior to, and distinct from both (Psalm 8:3-9, Psalm 115:16).

Secondly, while care for the environment is an admirable and biblical impulse, it is not that high on the moral hierarchy. Christ said that justice, mercy, and faithfulness were among the weightier matters of the law (Matt 23:23). The care for the earth is not on this list and is given comparably little attention and emphasis throughout the scripture. Giving the care of the earth equal importance to man risks distorting this hierarchy.

Third, Laney’s contention that man must balance his divinity with his earthliness is unsupported by scripture. If there is any conflict within man it is between the flesh and the spirit (Gal. 5:16-17). Not once does God command men to emphasize his earthliness in a positive manner, nor does he warn that doing so will cause people to treat you like dirt. Furthermore, God does not say that being treated like dirt is always a bad thing. In fact there are times where God says it is for the best (I Peter 2:18-24).

Fourth, Laney’s addressing of God as “herself” speaks against the character of God and undermines the entire patriarchal ethic he established.

Fifth, Laney is correct to observe that Christ’s lordship leaves no room for racism of any kind, but his dismissal of traditional marriage is unbiblical and his blanket condemnation of imperialism and militarism is overly simplistic. Imperialism can produce desirable effects, as demonstrated by the British forcing India to stop the religious practices of burning women alive on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Laney’s beef with militarism is difficult to dispute as he does not define the term. It is worth noting however, that God tasked governments with providing its citizens a quiet and peaceable life by praising men who do right and punishing men who do wrong (I Tim 2:2, I Tim 2:2, Rom. 13:3; 1 Pet. 2:14). If it can be demonstrated that robust military strength and presence is the best way to serve these ends, it is difficult to make a universal condemnation of it. Such a complex issue demands more than loaded terminology and immediate, blanket dismissal.

Finally, Christ did not come to help us balance our divinity and their earthliness. He came to save the lost (Luke 19:10), reconcile us to God (I Pet. 3:18), speak the truth (John 18:37) and provide a means of salvation (John 3:16) by giving us his hard earned record of obedience to God’s law (II Cor. 5:21). None of this has anything to do with man’s ties to the planet, especially given that it will be destroyed and replaced with a new one at the end of days (II Peter 3:10-13 Rev 21:1).

In the end, Laney and the theological climate at the UCC Synod that welcomed him is an object lesson in what happens when a single godly impulse (in this case care for the environment) is emphasized to the detriment of the rest of scripture: God’s truth gets distorted.

  1. Comment by Max on July 15, 2015 at 11:35 am

    “I am the river.”

    I believe that’s called “paganism.” It’s 2015, why would any sane person be trying to revert to a primitive, immoral, and dead religion?

  2. Comment by MQT journo on July 15, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    I’d have more respect for UCC and their ilk in other denominations if they’d just come out of the proverbial closet and admit they’re Unitarian Univeralists.

  3. Comment by Gary Kleeman on July 15, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    The United Church of Christ (UCC) is nothing more than a progressive Alinsky, Leftist organization that uses religion to advance their Socialist agenda.

  4. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 16, 2015 at 12:07 am

    Same here. I actually like the Unitarian-Universalists I’ve had the pleasure of knowing throughout the years. They’re a lot more honest about what they are. The last one was in the atheist camp.

  5. Comment by Gary Whiteman on July 16, 2015 at 10:11 am

    They believe in nothing but abortion, sodomy, and carbon footprints. They seem to attract the ugliest lesbians and most effeminate gay men on earth – it’s amazing they can even stand being in the same room together. Talk about dregs.

  6. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 16, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Most UUs I’ve known were upper-middle-class people, quite accomplished, heterosexual men. Not just the sort of stereotypes you describe.

    It basically occupies the spot the Episcopal Church used to occupy: it is where polite members of high society gather. You will still see people in their 20s and 30s in a UU congregation.

  7. Comment by Mark Bell on July 16, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Everyone knows that upper-class people know best. Salvation is dependent upon income.

  8. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 16, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    One complaint I have with mainline Protestant denominations like UCC, UU, the EC USA, PCUSA, etc. is that they are overwhelmingly populated with upper-class people, and are also overwhelmingly white. They don’t represent America, and they represent just a tiny sliver of the world as a whole.

    A faithful church should have rich, poor, and everything inbetween in it. And young and old.

  9. Comment by Liberal Kuhn on July 17, 2015 at 7:45 am

    LOL
    All-white churches upset you, but all-black ones do not, right?

  10. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 17, 2015 at 10:39 am

    An all-white church that is overwhelmingly (a) wealthy, (b) over the age of 65, and (c) white, whose members talk endlessly about how important “diversity” is, upsets me.

    If an all-black church was holding conferences “repenting” for past sins of racism on their part, etc., I would look at them with a dim eye, since they are talking a big talk about diversity, but aren’t actually living it out.

    I don’t mind an ethnic church provided the people in it aren’t busy judging other places that are ethnically homogenous. The most diverse churches in America are, interestingly, theologically conservative churches where the Bible, not diversity, sets the standard.

    The places that elevate diversity above the Bible aren’t diverse at all.

  11. Comment by Gary Whiteman on July 17, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    What a pity you can’t force churches to meet your quotas.

  12. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 17, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Gary, I’m a little confused. Where did I say I had a quota?

  13. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 17, 2015 at 10:40 am

    More accurately, people who are poor don’t see much point in a watered-down gospel. Most Christians around the world are quite poor. Most of them are also quite theologically conservative.

  14. Comment by Joe on July 17, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    As a child of non-college lower-middle class parents, about the most unrelatable people that I can think of. I honestly think that UU involvement makes them feel better or righteous because the alternative is the country club and that doesn’t comport well with their white liberal sensibilities.

  15. Comment by Joshua Rodd on July 17, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    That’s exactly what it is – it’s a country club where the members can engage in moral therapeutic deism.

  16. Comment by Joe on July 18, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    What’s remarkable is not the lack of breadth of diversity, but the lack of any diversity. Their members are just all so alike. Where are the garbage-men and plumbers? They can point out all day long who is missing at other denominations just like a child can spend all day long picking out every broken noodle. What’s the point?

  17. Comment by MarcoPolo on July 27, 2015 at 7:26 am

    There’s nothing wrong with UU’s, as they at least aren’t fueling the flames of War!

  18. Comment by Gary Kleeman on July 15, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    For anyone who is interested:

    United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod 2015 YouTube Videos
    All of their plenaries and worship services. #‎GS2015

    It’s hard listening to some of this progressive Leftist ideology.

    UCC General Synod 2015
    Tuesday Worship – June 30, 2015
    https://youtu.be/ZA2WZbfdl3s

    UCC General Synod 2015
    8th Plenary – June 30, 2015
    https://youtu.be/p4k8Et6u3aE

    UCC General Synod 2015
    7th Plenary – June 30, 2015
    https://youtu.be/cfymYBENva8

    UCC General Synod 2015
    6th Plenary- Monday, June 29, 2015
    https://youtu.be/ioAxSuRODoo

    UCC General Synod 2015
    5th Plenary – Monday, June 29, 2015
    https://youtu.be/MiNEw8H1vPU

    UCC General Synod 2015
    4th Plenary – Monday, June 29, 2015
    https://youtu.be/X2A7cXoWfhw

    UCC General Synod 2015
    Sunday Worship – June 28, 2015
    https://youtu.be/b7N4oLjiv5s

    UCC General Synod 2015
    Plenary 3 – Saturday, June 27, 2015 – Morning
    https://youtu.be/QR7vxGf0wlE

    UCC General Synod 2015
    Plenary 2 – Evening of June 26, 2015
    https://youtu.be/s1Jq2f6qbg0

    UCC General Synod 2015
    1st Plenary – June 26, 2015
    https://youtu.be/YF7II8dXAcY

    — End —

  19. Comment by MarcoPolo on July 27, 2015 at 7:38 am

    What is, and will always be laughable, is the denial of our existence from the Cosmos. Yes, Carl Sagan was right, we ARE stardust!
    There is always going to be a problem if Man ignores his duty to preserve his home (planet). He need not be dominant in the heirarchy of the animal kingdom to act responsibly. But he must not close his eyes to reality, which seems to be the approach of the religious set.
    …Sigh!

    And Great Britain raided India for it’s resources! It’s called forced Colonialism/Imperialism.

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