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Evangelical Perspectives on Land Use
The Resolution of the
Christian Environmental Council on Forest Ecosystems cont.
October 4th, 1998
Phoenix, Arizona
THEREFORE, let it be resolved that we encourage,
support, and advocate the end of all old-growth
logging of God's forest ecosystems in the United
States to ensure protection of this ancient remnant
of God's creation.
THEREFORE, let it be further resolved that we
encourage, support, and advocate the end of all
commercial logging on U.S. National Forests, as
carried out under the U.S. Forest Service's timber
commodity program and the redirection or appropriation
of monies to benefit communities dependent on
timber harvesting and to fund forest restoration.
Passed on this 4th day of October, 1998 by the
Annual Meeting of the Christian Environmental
Council.
Phoenix, Arizona
Ann Alexander, Chair
Stan LeQuire, Secretary
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Private Property and
the Common Good
Evangelicals and the "Takings" Issue
The Christian Environmental Council, assembled
on October 25-27, 1996 at the DuBose Conference
Center in Monteagle, Tennessee, affirms the following
Biblical principles and adopts the following guidelines
for action:
WE AFFIRM that Scripture teaches that "The
Earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it";
and that all creation has intrinsic value because
it was created through Christ and has been reconciled
through Him (Psalm 24: 1; Colossians 1: 15-20).
WE AFFIRM that although Scripture teaches that
"the Earth he has given to human beings,"
the principle underlying all human ownership of
property is that the ultimate owner of creation
is the Creator (Psalm 115:16; Leviticus 25:33).
WE AFFIRM that our Scriptural responsibility
to love our neighbors as ourselves extends not
only to our neighbors living today, but to our
neighbors throughout time, because Christ's redemption
extends throughout time, and Scripture affirms
our responsibility to pass on an inheritance to
all generations (Matthew 22:39; Psalm 15:3; Proverbs
13:22; Romans 8:21).
WE AFFIRM that while Scripture affords certain
protection to property interests, it also teaches
that those interests may only be exercised in
a manner that is compatible with the common good,
and does no harm to our neighbors (Deuteronomy
22:8).
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