Art Reading Scripture

Sculpture in Helsingor, Denmark

And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures ... And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1

At first when we saw this sculpture in Helsignor, Denmark we thought it was simply a sculpture of a fish. The sculpture was somewhat hidden on a backstreet/alley behind a large food court. There was a bit of construction going on back there as well that distracted from the sculpted fish. As we approached the fish we saw that it was made entirely of plastic waste recovered from sea. It came as a bit of a shock. Art is beautiful. This was colorful and provocative. Yet, it pointed out an ugliness about human waste and carelessness. Artists creatively tell stories, create social commentary, and in this instance pointed out human irresponsibility. We hear about plastic pollution in the oceans and the waters of the earth, but we seldom see it. The oceans are vast. Plastic waste gathered by ocean currents is far out at sea, invisible and forgotten. No direct connection can be made from my plastic use to any object in the sculpture or in the plastic islands of the sea. But there it was staring us in the face through a piece of art.

Recycling of plastic is confusing. Some forms of plastic, labeled 1 and 2 can be recycled, others 4, 5, 6 can sometimes be recycled, but 3 cannot. There is little guarantee that the plastic thrown into recycling bins will be remade into useful material. Only about 5% of plastic in in the US is recycled. Most of it ends up in landfills or worse. It is estimated that every day 2000 garbage truck loads of plastic pollute our waters. Plastic is a global problem but everyone of us contributes to the problem. Plastic breaks down over long periods of time but never goes entirely away. Microplastics have been found in in nearly every part of our bodies, even in breast milk consumed by infants. You have microplastics in your body. Microplastics affect every living thing. When we eat, we ingest microplastics into our bodies, the consequences of which are as yet uncertain. Reducing plastic use, replacing plastic grocery bags with reusable ones is the simplest place to start, and is imperative, crucial.

In the beginning God granted human being "dominion over the fish of the sea" and other living things. Dominion did not and does not mean domination. Dominion did not and does not mean careless power or freedom. In the other story of creation, Genesis 2, God told "adam" to till and keep the garden. Variously those words may be translated, serve and preserve, or conserve and protect. At no point did the words mean exploit or abuse. Psalm 72 was a prayer for a king, for one who had "dominion from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth." The king's dominion was upheld and honored for a reason. "For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy." The dominion of the king was granted for the care and flourishing of the vulnerable, people in the care of government. The dominion of humanity was granted for the vulnerable earth and all living things in the care of those made in the image of God.

The earth and creation abundantly provide what we need to live. The earth and creation give us food, air, beauty, minerals, and life. God entrusted it to our care that all of creation may flourish. The earth and creation serve us freely. We are granted the commission to serve the earth carefully and with humility, gratitude and love.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer