Trees Matter to God? Come on.

Twenty years ago, I pushed for the name "Oakbrook Church" for what was then our crippled, little Christ Baptist Church of Reston, Virginia. Isaiah 61:3 is the Biblical passage that inspired the new name: "And they shall be called 'Oaks of Righteousness', a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." 


I think Isaiah is saying something like this: "Just as God planted trees in order to display his glory, so he plants us for the same reason." As God's people, we seem to get the second part of this statement (i.e. that we are made for God's glory). However, most American Jesus-lovers miss the first part (that earthy things- like trees- are also made for his glory). 


I wonder: "Is this why so many feel free to exploit the natural world in any way that suits them or seems expedient? Is this why the customary message preached in the American pulpit makes much of heaven but little of earth? ("God I hope there's a heaven because there ain't much earth left that's livable!")


According to Isaiah 61:3, trees and earthly stuff matter to God just as we do! Maybe we need a new narrative that includes the redemption of trees, rocks, and creeping, crawling things too. 


Just maybe it is supposed to work this way: "God redeems us and then we redeem the earth."  Hmm. ("And all the trees shall clap their hands!")