Crumbs From The Reading Table – March 2019

Man Cultivated the Rainforest

A fascinating article on recent researching regarding the rainforest in the Amazon, and it’s cultivation by man. The article states that “In less-rhapsodical verse, scholars in the past quarter century have shown that this mythical image of untouched nature is just that—a myth. Like humans everywhere, Native Americans shaped their environments to suit them, through burning, pruning, tilling and other practices.”

Their statements on dating are rooted in modern evolution mythology. None the less, the research behind the article is thorough. Twenty of the “hyperdominant” plant species in the rainforest are domestic. They found higher amounts of domesticated plants near ancient communities. They located clusters of the domesticated plants far away from their original position. This means they transplanted in new areas when man built new communities in the rainforest.

Take away

This should come as no surprise to the informed Christian. In the first chapter of Genesis, we have Adam given the task of cultivating and protecting (“work” and “keep”) the Garden of Eden. Not only was Adam supposed to do this work in the Garden of Eden, but he was also supposed to expand this work through personal labor and generational training and growth. Is it no surprise that we see humans, made in God’s image, descendants of Adam, cultivating wild forests to bear fruit.

The "garden-tending' origin of man is a reminder for Christians to care more about the land. We are the tenants, and God is our penultimate LandLord (Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26). We hear much about protecting the Earth and not abuse it. However, modern-humanistic views push for legislation that makes man the servant of everything created day 1-5, which is the exact opposite of God’s command to “take dominion” given to man (Genesis 1:28). For example, how do you deal with deforestation that is so feared by modern environmentalists? Easy, God’s Law restricts the cutting down of fruit-bearing plants (Deuteronomy 20:19-20).

If we want to curb the desire of man to abuse the earth to the point of destruction, then we should follow God’s Law.

Creation economics - The economics of reality

For those who were blown away by Ian Hodge’s Baptized Inflation (a critique of “Christian”-Keynesian economics), then you might want to read something else by him. I recommend Creation Economics: The Economics of Reality, which Creation Ministries International hosts.

This paragraph introducing the first point of “creational economics” might sell you on reading it,

The doctrine of Creation has four implications for economic theory. First, the doctrine of Creation establishes the possibility of the science of true economics. What is meant by the term economics? Unless we can establish some working definition it is possible for misunderstanding to occur. Economics derives from two Greek words, oikos meaning house, and nomos, meaning law. Economics, therefore, is the science of good household management. In modern times economics has undertaken a broader definition. Today the study of economics is the study of human beings as they endeavour to improve their material well-being. It is the study of the actions which people consciously make in order to pursue their economic goals.

Understanding economics in the world of reality, the world as God made it and providentially controls it, will lead to better home management. The creation of, what some have called, a trustee family. Proper economic understanding and practice will lead to the generational enrichment of God’s covenant-keepers.