Spiritual Practice

But because the restoration of their former blessedness for the better is promised to the human race through the coming of a redeemer, there is no doubt creation too will receive [back] its ancient glory.

  - Anonymous, Liber de Ordine Creaturarum (Irish, 7th century)

...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself...

 - 2 Corinthians 5.19

Our anonymous scholar taught that God intended to ease creation's suffering, occasioned by the sin of men, by sending the children of God with a vision to renew and restore it to its former state of blessedness. He's drawing from Paul's comment in Romans 8.18-25 as well as the text mentioned above.

Celtic Christians understood that God loved His world and that Jesus' coming meant renewal for all the creation, not just believers. Included in the calling to be and make disciples is a concern for restoring the sin-scarred creation to its pristine goodness (Gen. 1). This was not an incidental matter to Celtic Christians.

So how did they take on the responsibility of restoring the goodness of creation? In a number of ways. First, they learned creation. They knew the names and properties of plants, animals, seasons, storms, and much more. They were excellent observers of the creation and saw the evidence of God's steadfast love and His glory everywhere they looked.

Second, they conserved the creation, largely by not consuming any more of it - for food, housing, clothing, or other things - than was absolutely necessary. But they were also active developers of creation's potential to produce good things. Every monk worked the fields as much as he taught the faith to others. Celtic Christians lived simply, even austerely, and they did not waste the creation in frivolous or luxurious ways, but cultivated it to higher levels of productivity.

They also employed the creation to declare the greatness of God, populating their works of art and poetry with images and references to the creation that gave to plants and animals a voice in telling the praises of the Lord.

Celtic Christians loved God; they also loved His creation. How can we claim to love God and not honor the love that He has for the world, love so great that He gave His only-begotten Son for its redemption (Jn. 3.16)?

Each of us needs a plan for loving the creation around us and working to restore its original goodness. Maybe we'll do it in the way we take care of our yards and landscaping. Perhaps we'll teach our children to recognize the different plants and songbirds in our immediate surroundings. We could join the Nature Conservancy or support a work like Blue Heron Ministries. Hopefully we'll take the time to "read" the book of creation for what God reveals to us there about His glory.

Love God? Love His creation. If you do, your love for Him will grow even more.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.